Mavis A. Rollefson

Mavis Anita (Willert) Rollefson was born on May 17, 1925 in a farmhouse in Verdi Township to Henry Jr. and Rosella (Dorn) Willert. She was baptized and confirmed in the Verdi Immanuel Lutheran church, remaining a devoted member of St John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lake Benton, Minnesota, where she taught Sunday School and was a member of the Dorcas Society.

Mavis attended country school for 8 years and graduated from Verdi High School in 1943. She went to teacher training for a year and taught country school near Ward, South Dakota for 3 years.

On June 8, 1947, Mavis was married to Albert Rollefson at Verdi Immanuel Lutheran Church. They shared many happy times together, especially going to dances around the area. Mavis enjoyed the time working side by side with Albert, raising 5 children, with hobbies of sewing, gardening and working in the yard. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and often babysat her grandchildren.

Mavis was also involved in the Verdi Community Club and enjoyed spending time with friends at the coffeehouse. She spent many hours volunteering at the Good Samaritan Home for over 25 years. Mavis will be most remembered for her wonderful attitude and positive outlook on life. She always had a smile on her face that will never be forgotten.

She remained living on the family farm until 2014 when she moved to Falls Landing in Pipestone, Minnesota. Mavis was admitted to Avera McKennan Hospital on Thursday, April 16, until her death on Monday, April 20, at the age of 89 years, 11 months and three days.

Mavis is lovingly remembered by her children: Ronald (Doris) Rollefson of Ward, South Dakota; Renae (Robert) Nichols of Lake Benton, Minnesota; Cindy (Kelly) Nichols of Marshall, Minnesota; Richard (Charlotte) Rollefson of Sibley, Iowa; and Joann (Jerry) Hup of Pipestone, Minnesota; 10 grandchildren: Stephanie (Ryan) Hedstrom, Samuel Rollefson, Nicole (Tom) Johnson, Melani (Lance) Beebout, Natosha (Dan) VanLiere, Amanda (Andrew) Sadler, Heather (Loren) Luitjens, Christopher Carstensen, Jessica (Lawson) Bartlett and Matthew Hup; 10 great-grandchildren: Sophia and Taylor Johnson, Mason, Brooklyn and Erika Beebout, Lincoln and Kyla VanLiere, Lisa and Larissa Luitjens and Elise Bartlett. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Albert, in 1988; one brother, Norman Willert, and sister-in-law, Lois Willert.