Mavis Laverna Schmitz

Mavis LaVerna (Koski) Schmitz was born March 5, 1938 at the family farm in Rock Lake, ND to Arthur and Hilma (Savaloja) Koski. She passed away Sunday, October 23, 2011 at her home in Sebeka, MN. Mavis was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. Her early life was spent in Rock Lake with her family she loved so dearly. When she was in the seventh grade her family moved to Sebeka. She was homesick for ND, but finally she made her life and home in Sebeka, and has been content there ever since. She attended Sunnybrook District 45 School and Sebeka Public School. Mavis enjoyed learning. At the age of 45 she attended Wadena Technical College and obtained a certification in business administration. On May 7, 1956 Mavis was married to Frank (Ole) Schmitz in Wadena, MN. She and Ole raised their seven children in Sebeka. Besides being a homemaker, Mavis’ worked as a young person on area family farms, the Sebeka Cheese Plant, Homecrest Industries for 23 years, selling pull tabs and with Harvey Benson and Marv Burgau at the Gas Station. Mavis cherished her family and the many friends. She enjoyed visits, a cup of coffee, her gardens, her summer and fall harvests of vegetables and fruits. She loved her church family and she loved her country. Mavis was a grateful person and enjoyed the very basic and simple things of life. Nothing pleased her more than to go to her kitchen cupboards to find them filled. To have family and friends stop by her home. She was always ready for a good visit and would stop anything she was doing to take time with those she loved. She loved playing baseball as a child and later in life spent many hours watching baseball, football and hockey. Especially the MN Wild Hockey team when the Finnish players joined. She was of Finnish heritage and spoke the Finnish language very well. Mavis was a member of the Sebeka United Methodist Church and the Sebeka American Legion Auxiliary. Mavis is survived by her children, Lois Schmitz of Dayton; Janice (Tom) Paurus of Champlin; Vickie Schmitz of Blaine; Mike Schmitz of Sebeka; Russ (Brenda) Schmitz of St. Michael; Frank Schmitz of Sebeka; Joe (Lynette) Schmitz of Sebeka. Eleven Grandchildren: Sam Paurus, Josh Denny, Luke Denny, Christopher (Barb) Schmitz, Greg (Heather) Schmitz, Tyler (Michelle) Schmitz, Landon Schmitz, Katie Schmitz, Nolan Schmitz, Travis Schmitz and Trenton Schmitz along with four great grandchildren: Samantha, Madison, Mitchell and Trent Schmitz. Mavis is also survived by four sisters, Thelma Johnson of Sebeka; Verna (Leslie) Mattson of Menahga; Mary Ann (Milton) Lusti of Duluth; Helen (Lester) Matson of Menahga; three brothers, Elmer Koski of Menahga, Harold (Sharon) Koski of Osage and Robert (Joanna) Koski of Elk River. Sisters-in-law MaryAnn Maki of Victorville, CA; Ellen Koski of Menahga and Susanna Beldo of New York Mills and Brother-in-Law Jack (John) Schmitz of Pengilly; many nieces, nephews and other friends. Mavis was preceded in death by her husband, Frank (Ole) Schmitz, her parents, one sister, Doris Stenson and six brothers: Leo Maki, George (Rupert) Maki, Ray, Wilfred, Larry and Allen Koski. Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 26, 2011 from 6-8 PM at the Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, October 27, 2011 at Sebeka United Methodist Church in Sebeka, MN with Pastor Steven Koehne officiating. Jayne Koskiniemi will serve as organist. Honorary Pallbearers are her Grandchildren and all that called her friend. Active Casketbearers are her sons: Mike Schmitz, Russ Schmitz, Frank Schmitz and Joe Schmitz. Interment will be at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Bluffton, MN.