Thief River Falls – Mavis Adeline Olson, age 91, passed away peacefully with her daughters by her side on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Thief River Care Center.
Mavis was born on July 3, 1934, to George and Mary (Mork). She grew up in the Skime, MN area where her family farmed. Her mother was a K-8 schoolteacher, and Mavis attended the school where her mother taught before later attending high school in Roseau. She was baptized at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Skime.
On January 3, 1955, Mavis was united in marriage to Hubert Olson, and their marriage was blessed with six children. In 1956, Mavis and Hubert moved to St. Paul. After eight years, they returned to Skime, where they operated the Skime Store for several years while also working at Polaris and Marvin Windows.
Mavis and Hubert were longtime members of Bethesda Lutheran Church in Skime, where Mavis was active in Ladies Aid.
Together they raised their six children while maintaining a large vegetable garden each year. They also raised chickens and occasionally pigs. The entire family spent time picking berries, which Mavis carefully canned and turned into sauces and jams. She was well known for preserving much of what the family harvested, canning vegetables from the garden as well as venison and fish that Hubert provided.
After her husband passed away in 1995, she moved back to the farm where she was born and raised. She worked at the Skime Store and loved every minute of it, retiring at the age of 82.
Mavis moved to Grygla in 2020 to be closer to her girls. She looked forward to trips to town with Deanna, playing cards and doing puzzles, and watching Little House on the Prairie with Stacy. She also enjoyed the wonderful meals and desserts made by Denise. Although she enjoyed her time in Grygla, she missed Skime deeply, as that is where her heart always was.
She cherished spending time with her family and friends and enjoyed the “occasional” trip to the casino. Most of all, Mavis was one of the most kind and genuine people you would ever meet, always making those around her feel special.
Mavis is survived by her children, Ken (Vicki), Deanna (Tim), Denise, and Stacy (Matt); her grandchildren, Chrissy (Mike), Sadie (Robbie), Danielle (Drew), Janica (Rick), Caitlin (Luke), Zachary (Sidney), Torii, Missy, and Ryan; her great-grandchildren, Alex, Jack, Hubert, Adaline, Palmer, Owen, Paxton, Ember, Elsie, Sami, Oliver, and Caroline; her brother- and sister-in-law, Marlin and Lois; and sister-in-law, Marlys, along with many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Mary; her husband, Hubert; her daughters, Sharon and Bertie; her brothers, Keith and Jim; her grandson, Keith Jr.; her beloved pup, Sami; and many other dear relatives, in-laws, and friends.
An online guestbook can be found at: www.helgesonfuneralhome.com.
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Mavis Olson
