Mavis Morgan

Mavis Illeen (Nelson) Morgan, age 85, of Detroit Lakes, MN, formerly of Ottertail, MN, died Thursday, November 28, 2024, at home on Buchanan Lake. She was surrounded by love, support, and tender care during her final days and was at peace with her life's journey.

Mavis was born to Dorthea (Sannes) and Axel Nelson on November 12, 1939 in Forman, ND. She joined an older brother and sister, and later, another sister and four younger brothers were added to the Nelson clan. She was blessed to be a part of this big, loving family and had countless wonderful memories of time spent at the farm learning life lessons from her mother, father and older brother, building a life-long friendship with her two sisters, and keeping an eye on her younger brothers. During her grade school years, she went to a small country school, Rutland Consolidated. High school meant that she lived during the week with her grandmother while attending Forman High School, graduating in 1957. While working in Fargo, she met her future husband, George Morgan from Lisbon, ND, at a street dance. They married in 1960 at Trinity Church in Forman. During their years together, they welcomed three children (David, Susan and Robert), lived in LaMoure and Minot, ND, before settling in Fairmont, MN, where they raised their family and made many wonderful friends. Over the years, she and George built (and later sold) three lake cabins in Ottertail County, MN, so when the time came for George to retire from teaching, they decided to build their own home on Buchanan Lake. This was a place that brought wonderful neighbors and new friends into their lives and was a great place to gather for celebrations or to watch a beautiful sunset over the lake. Sadly, George died in 2004, but Mavis found new ways to embrace life by traveling and volunteering. Some of the places she visited with family and friends were Hawaii, Alaska, Scotland, Florida, California, Montana, Washington, Utah, and Arizona. She also became involved in the Stephen Ministry program at Calvary Lutheran Church and enriched many additional lives. Eventually, she moved into an apartment in Perham, and later Pelican Landing in Detroit Lakes, but Buchanan Lake continued to be her forever home.

The family is deeply grateful for the loving care provided to Mavis during her last days by Debra, her nieces Brenda, Hilary, Julie, LeDora, and Tammy, special neighbors Pam, John, and Jack, the staff of Pelican Landing, and the Hospice Team.

Mavis is survived by daughter, Susan of Louisville, KY; son, Robert of Ottertail, MN and his significant other, Debra of Eagan, MN; sisters, Elaine Anderson of Forman, ND, and Joyce (Tom) Nichols of Elk River, MN; brothers Turk (Ann) Nelson of Forman, ND, and Dennis (Ginger) Nelson of Forman, ND; sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Gullingsrud of Jamestown, ND, and Judy Morgan of Wishek, ND; Godchildren, Brenda Welsch of Stillwater, MN; Wyatt Nelson of Forman, ND, and Tammy Barrett of Ramsey, MN; grandchildren, Tommy and Karolyn Barrett; special great-nieces and nephew Olivia Welsch, Bryce Welsch and Braylyn Nelson.

Preceding Mavis in death is her husband, George; infant son, David; parents, Axel and Dorthea Nelson; mother-in-law, Anna Jenson (Herman); Godson, Richard Morgan; brothers, Orville Nelson, Doc Nelson and Clifford Nelson; in-laws, Eva Buckmiller and Dan Morgan.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m., at Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service in Perham on Tuesday, December 3. Visitation will resume from 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by the Funeral Service at 11:00 on Wednesday, December 4 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Perham. Interment will be at South Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Forman, ND on Thursday, December 5 at 12:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to South Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, 639 6th Street SW, Forman, ND 58032-4034.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com