Mabel was the fifth child born to Moses and Clarissa (Armstrong) Bedunah. Her siblings were John Albert born 1884 who married Florence Pearl Buttrick and died 1930, George born 1886 who maried Ethel Dagmar Armstrong and died 1928, James Arthur born 1888 married Alice Stearns and died 1960, Julia Ann born 1890 who married Ned Curtiss Sr and died 1915, Jay Earl born 1895 and died 1918 and Chloe Pearl born 1900 who married Michael Molliter and died 1949. She also had a half sister, Luella McLalin born 1880 who married David Goff and died 1962. The family moved around quite a bit but stayed mostly in southwest Michigan.

July 28, 1909 she married Clarence Merle Stearns in Allegan, and they had nine children. By 1912 they had moved to Chippewa County in the Upper Peninsula where all their children were born except the first one, Vera Ethel born 1910 who married Amos Allan Caufield and died 1991. Other children were Roy born 1912 who married Neva Schofield then Marie Lechner died 2012, Iva Louisa born 1915 married Wilmer Campbell and died 1956, Merl Jr born 1916 married Elaine Barrons and died 2004, Lee Charles born 1918 who married Helen Phillips died 2008, Elsie Ida born 1921 who married John Thomas Wilson death unknown, Lloyd Harold born 1926 who married Velma Hill death unknown, Donald Lester born 1983 and died 1951 and Clarissa May born 1936 who married Norman Davis.

Vera tells that the family moved from Allegan to Pickford when she was 2 1/2 years old. She says they landed at the Rudyard train stop with all their possessions. They hired a wagon and dray team to take them to Pickford; a tiny drop off place near Fairview. They lived on a farm and among other things had chickens and turkeys. One old tom would chase them and peck at their legs.

Mabel went to Minot ND for treatment of cancer. While there she passed away and her remains were returned to Sault Ste Marie, Michigan where the family was living at the time.