Oct. 12, 1936-March 9, 2012
IVANHOE - Services for Mavis Mae (Benz) Nielsen, 75, of Ivanhoe will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at Bethany-Elim Lutheran Church in Ivanhoe with Pastor Stephen Rasmussen officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday at the church with a prayer service at 7 p.m. and will continue on Saturday one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Ivanhoe City Cemetery. Arrangements are with Birk Funeral Home of Ivanhoe.
Mavis passed away at her home Friday, March 9, 2012, surrounded by her five children. She had been battling Acute Leukemia since August 2010. She was 75.
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Mavis Mae Nielsen
Mavis was born Oct. 12, 1936, in Hendricks to Frank and Grace (Botsford) Benz. She graduated from Hendricks High School in 1955. While still in high school she began working at Whips Caf in Ivanhoe where she met the love of her life, Buzz. They were married March 26, 1956, in Lake Benton and to this union they were blessed with five children - the B's Bruce, Bryce, Brenda, Benita and Bennett.
Mavis enjoyed the early married years at home raising the kids and helping with the Cement Business that they owned. In 1975, after all the kids started school, she began working at the Lincoln County Courthouse until her retirement in 1991. During her retirement she and Buzz enjoyed traveling, attending high school State Basketball and State Football tournaments, and of course attending the softball games for the "Nielsen" team they sponsored. The most memorable time for her, her children and their spouses was the Cruise to Alaska they were able to enjoy in August 2011, while her health was still stable.
Mavis remained involved in many community activities. These include: Bethany Elim WELCA, lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary, and Divine Providence Hospital and Home. Her hobbies included Bowling, gardening, quilting, crocheting, cooking and baking, doing crossword puzzles, putting puzzles together and spending time with family and friends at the Nielsen Lanes Bowling Alley.
Mavis was a very social person and touched the lives of many. She especially enjoyed her time with her children, grand children and her great grand children and in turn she will be lovingly remembered by them-Bruce Nielsen of Ivanhoe and friend Barb; Bryce (Patricia) Nielsen of Ivanhoe; Brenda (Darrell) Sheik of Ivanhoe; Benita (Mike) Steffes of Wahoo, Neb., and Bennett (Patti) Nielsen of Ivanhoe grandchildren Rebbecca Nielsen, Stephanie and Chuck Kobes Riley and Tyson, Anthony Nielsen; Stacy and Josh Kiley and Addysen, Kyle and Gina Sheik; Kayla Nielsen; Skylar Steffes, Shanly Steffes; Paul, Spencer and Hannah Oellien; and family friend Chad "Chucky" Bednarek.
She is also survived by her two brothers, Kenny (Nina) Benz; Dareld (Carole) Benz; sister in laws Bernice Benz; Midge (Nielsen) Johnson; Lucille (Nielsen) Eide and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Buzz in 2008, her parents, her brothers Howard Benz and Donald Benz; brother in laws Norwood Johnson and Arnold Eide.
Thank you for sharing your life with us, it has been a great honor. We will miss you dearly.