Mabel E. Buening

Mabel E. Buening (nee Proefrock) passed away in the first few minutes of February 7, 2013 at the age of 88 years. Mabel was born in Germantown to Otto and Minnie (Napgazek) Proefrock on December 14, 1924. Her siblings included her brother, Ed, and sisters Lillian and Rose. Upon the death of her father, Albert Proefrock became the father figure of the family when Mabel was young. Mabel spent her youth in Milwaukee and it was during this time that she met her lifelong friend, Pauline. After graduation from North Division High School, Mabel worked as a secretary for DuPont. Mabel was united in marriage to Edwin S. Buening on April 3, 1948 at the Church of the Epiphany in Milwaukee. It was in the early 1960’s that they moved their family from Milwaukee to Cedarburg. While their home was being built on Linden Street, they resided in the Zeunert Homestead on South Washington Avenue. Mabel was a stay-at-home mom while her three children were young. She actively participated in church activities, PTA, and served as a Girl Scout leader. She entered back into the world of work as a waitress at Mother’s Restaurant in Cedarburg. Later, she worked at the News Graphic in advertising layout and at The Booster in Hartford. Mabel had many interests including collecting and refinishing antiques, participating in Elderhostel trips, traditional rug hooking, sewing, crafts, baking and cooking. Following Edwin’s death in 2002, Mabel moved to Lasata Heights and later to Lasata Crossings as her health concerns increased. When Mabel was diagnosed with cancer of the liver and pancreas in mid-December, her new home became the Highlands at Newcastle Place in Mequon. Together, Mabel and Edwin lovingly raised their children Beverly (Donald) Randall of Cedar Grove, Virginia (Lee) Henkel of Janesville, and Robert (JoAnn) Buening of LaCrescent, Minnesota who survive her. Mabel is further survived by five grandchildren: Jenna (Craig) Randall-DeRuyter, Kim (Drew) Eckmayer, Elizabeth (Kevin) Lauterbach, Melissa Buening, and Matthew Buening. Additionally, Mabel is survived by six great-grandchildren: Mya and Evan DeRuyter, Emma and Oliver Eckmayer, and Gabriel and Grady Lauterbach. Cemetery: Private