Mabel Selina was born at Blyth, Ontario on September 11, 1888.  In 1889 the family moved back to the homestead one mile east of Pierson, Manitoba.  In 1892, at age 4 years, Mabel joined Walter, Bella and Minnie going to school in town.  It was necessary for her to start early in order to have the required number of students to have a school.

Mabel loved to sew and made her first item of clothing - a Mother Hubbard gown at age 11 years and was on her way.

On September 7, 1910 Mabel married Albert (Ab) Dell and took up residence in a little white house down the street.  Ab carried on his veterinarian duties in and around Pierson, and Mabel continued sewing - from coats, ragdolls and overalls, to baby clothes and stylish wedding gowns.

They had two children - Evelyn Mary on April 8, 1911 and Alberta (Bertie) Mabel on October 15, 1912.

At that time Mabel was told that Ab had only 6 months to live.  Albert passed away April 5, 1913.  Mabel lived with her parents for about a year before moving back to her home in Pierson.  A younger brother, Ernie came to live with her and continued to school.  He was a great help and comfort to Mabel and the girls.

On March 12, 1918 Mabel married Elvin Wilt.  Elvin was born in Redwing, Minnisota , worked his way through college, became a railroad engineer on the run from Minneapolis to Chicago and then moved to Pierson to farm.  Mabel and Elvin went to "The Sandborns's" in Drinkwater, Saskatchewan after they were married.  Evelyn and Bertie came later.  They all moved to a Sanborn farm between Drinkwater and Briercrest.  They had four children - Jean Myrtle on July 13, 1919, John (Jack) Charles on February 20, 1920, Francis Elvin (Frank) on November 8, 1921 and Shirley Mae on March 8, 1925.  Evelyn and Bertie went to school until Evelyn died August 26, 1920.  Mabel took Evelyn to Pierson to be buried beside her father.  She returned to Saskatchewan leaving Bertie with her grandparents.