Mavis Grace Lichtsinn

Mavis Lichtsinn, age 96, of Wheaton, Minnesota passed away Sunday, April 26, 2026 at the Grace Home in Graceville, Minnesota.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton with Rev. Anthony Ahrendt officiating. 

Visitation will be held Friday, May 8th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton. Visitation will continue Saturday morning one hour prior to service time at the church.

Interment will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Wheaton.

Mavis Grace Carlson was born May 31, 1929 in Monson Township, Traverse County, Minnesota to Axel and Mae (Swedlund) Carlson. She attended Traverse County School District #56 through the eighth grade and Wheaton High School, graduating in 1947 as salutatorian. She was employed by the State Bank of Wheaton.

Mavis met the love of her life, Eldren Arlis Lichtsinn, at a Dumont street dance. They were united in marriage on June 16, 1951 in Wheaton. She then became a homemaker and family farm bookkeeper. They raised a son and daughter on their farm southeast of Dumont. They were married for 65 years. Eldren passed away on Feb 1, 2017.

Mavis was baptized on March 27, 1930 at Augustana Lutheran Church in White Rock, South Dakota. She was confirmed and married at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in Wheaton. After marriage, she worshiped at St. John’s Lutheran church in Dumont until its closure. She then attended church at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton. Being a devoted Christian, she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and was a member of circle groups and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

In the community, Mavis was a volunteer of the American Cancer Society and Wheaton Hospital Auxiliary.

Mavis and Eldren loved traveling with friends and family to near and far places. Their fondest trip was to Sweden to visit extended family. Mavis enjoyed golfing, bowling, playing cards, flower gardening, mowing lawn, snowmobiling, fishing, reading, watching the Twins play ball, and sending and receiving letters from loved ones and friends. Activities and accomplishments that involved her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews made her very proud. We will miss her sense of humor, grace, and nurturing, loving heart.

The family would like to thank the staff of Countryside Inn, Grace Home and Vivie Hospice for their support and care. In memory of Mavis, donations may be directed to Vivie Hospice or St. John Lutheran Church.

Mavis is survived by her son Kevin (Cyndy) Lichtsinn of Dumont, Minnesota; daughter Colleen (Earl) Cole of Roseville, California; grandchildren: Sarah Goche of Watertown, South Dakota; Kelly (Corey) Van Horn of Morris, Minnesota; Joy (Paul) Bjordahl of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Grant (Kandice) Lichtsinn of Duluth, Minnesota; Dillon Lichtsinn of Brandon, South Dakota; Ryan (Leane) Cole of Rancho Santa Fe, California; Kyle Cole of Sacramento, California; and 16 great grandchildren.

Mavis is preceded in death by her parents Axel and Mae Carlson; husband Eldren Lichtsinn; one brother Vernon Carlson; and three sisters: Elsie Leininger, Darlene Johnson, and Frances Deal.