Mavis Tilda (Christopher) Handevidt

Mavis Tilda (Christopher) Handevidt age 88, of Jackson, Minnesota entered into rest on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Society in Jackson, Minnesota.

Visitation will be held for Harlo and Mavis on Monday, December 7, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Jackson, Minnesota. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Matthew Garavalia officiating. Burial to take place immediately following the service at Sunset Memorial Cemetery with Military rites by Jackson American Legion Post #130.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Masks will be required while in the Church with a maximum capacity of 250 people for the service.  The funeral service will be live streamed on the Osterberg Funeral Home facebook page.

Mavis Tilda Handevidt, daughter of Orin and Freida (Lemickson) Christopher was born on November 3, 1932 at home in Belmont Township, Jackson County, Minnesota.  Mavis passed away on December 3, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Home in Jackson, Minnesota.  Mavis was 88 years old.

Mavis grew up in rural Jackson County and attended schools in and around Jackson and graduated from Jackson High School in 1950.

Mavis and Harlo met while in High School and were married on July 5, 1953.  They had just celebrated their 67th anniversary this summer.  They were loving parents to 4 children – Jeff, Patti, Chris, and Nikki.

Mavis had a strong work ethic.  Besides raising a family, helping on the farm, and being a homemaker, Mavis worked several part time jobs throughout her working years.  Some of these included Gervais Jewelry, Southwestern Bell, County treasurer’s office, County recorder’s office, and Osterberg Funeral Home.

Mavis was a Sunday school teacher at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church for many years in the 1960’s.  As we were going through some of her things it was enjoyable to read notes from her students that stated “best Sunday school teacher they ever had”.

Mavis was a current member of the Jackson Legion Auxiliary Post up to her passing.  She shared the same conviction that Harlo had regarding the honor and recognition of veterans, the flag, and Country.  Mavis was a dedicated member marching in many parades over the years and helping with other patriotic holiday activities that the Legion was part of.

Besides her faith, Mavis’s biggest passion in life was her love of family.  It was not just words but more action and sacrifice that demonstrated her care, concern, and devotion to her family.  There was never a doubt about how Mom felt about each of us.  When it came to children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, Mavis was very selfless of her time and resources.  She was so supportive of their interests, school events, and sporting activities.  She attended and supported these events as she could and didn’t miss many.  She was vocal about it too – you could always count on her as being your biggest fan.

Mavis was selfless with her friends and acquaintances as well.  She was such a giving person.  If you are reading this, it is quite likely that through the years you have received some type of gift, memento, token of care, or just words of thanks from her.

Mavis so enjoyed her time with friends for morning or afternoon coffee sessions.  It was an important part of her life.  She’s talked of and so cherished these times with so many loyal friends and ladies and it gave her such joy to sit around and enjoy the conversation and to share stories with them.

Mavis was a classy lady.  She always dressed and looked great, that was important to her.  Part of that class was the nearly permanent smile that was on her face with a warm hello or greeting.

It was common for Mavis to redirect any concern you might have for her.  She needed to be sure you were ok.  Even up to her last day, she was concerned about the health of others in the family.  A very typical question from her was “Have you had lunch?”  Mavis always showed such gratitude for things others would give her or do for her.  Even though we could never balance out the ‘giving ledger’ for what she did for others, she would always acknowledge any form of thoughtfulness given to her and Dad with a sincere thank you or most likely a written thank you note.  Even in her last days her final words after a phone call or visit was Thank You for coming or Thank you for calling.

Mavis loved to shop.  She was always persistent in her quest but we suspect most of the time she wasn’t looking for anything in particular but rather, just enjoyed the hunt.  According to Harlo she could walk every aisle at Walmart or the Mall Halls while he sat on the “bench” for hours, with his IPad, waiting patiently. 

Mom was a strong Norwegian and proud of it.  There was no drift in her beliefs.  Some might call it stubborn but maybe it’s more like being adamant and relentless.   It was rather fitting on the day Mavis passed that she fought for several more hours than what nurses were expecting.  We envisioned Dad and Nikki waiting on that “bench” in heaven for her to arrive with Dad telling Nikki, she’ll be along soon, she does this.

Mavis is survived by son Jeff (Sharon) Lake Elmo, MN; daughter Patti (Don Wachal) Jackson, MN; son Chris (Tammy) Jackson, MN.  Sister-in-law Luetta Seim Minneapolis, MN.  Also surviving are 9 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Those that have passed before Mavis are her husband Harlo and the angel of her family, Nikki whom she has waited so many years to embrace her again.

Also passing before her were her parents, one brother Vernon, a sister Flossie and numerous family members on Harlo’s side.

Thank you Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma for providing all of us with so many memories that we can cherish forever.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mavis Tilda (Christopher) Handevidt, please visit our floral store.