Mabel Almira Braaten was born March 15, 1907 in Melfort, Saskatchewan to Alfred Braaten and Eda Braaten (nee Haugerud). Mabel took her first years of schooling at Clapton School, then attended high school in Melfort. She entered Normal School at age 17, and earned a first class certificate. Mabel's first position was at a log schoolhouse at Pontrilas. Her teaching career continued for 14 years, taking her to country schools at Pathlow, Hogstrom and Ethelton. For a brief period, Mabel worked in Toronto at the "Inspection and Test" office at Research Enterprises, Ltd. where her brother, Everett, worked as a prominent physicist. However, after two years, Mabel returned to Melfort to teach at Melfort Broadway School, where she would teach grade two for 29 years. Mabel remained active in the Melfort United Church throughout her life and, during her youth, was a member of the young people's group, "The Alerts."