Mavis Knaus, age 84 of Milbank died June 2, 2016, at Golden Living Center in Milbank. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June... Mavis Knaus

Mavis KnausMavis Knaus, age 84 of Milbank died June 2, 2016, at Golden Living Center in Milbank.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 7 at 10:30 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church in Milbank. Rev. Dr. DeVern Schwenn and Rev. Melanie Reiners will officiate. Burial will be in the Milbank Cemetery.

Visitation will be at Mundwiler Funeral Home on Monday from 5 – 7 p.m. and continue at the church on Tuesday, one hour prior to the services.

Mavis Darlene (Schulte) Knaus was born May 8, 1932, in her family’s home in Corona, SD. She was the daughter of Alfred and Vera (Sprung) Schulte. She attended school in Corona and graduated from Corona High School with the Class of 1950. Mavis was united in marriage with Kenneth Martin Knaus on September 24, 1952. They were blessed with 62 years of marriage and two daughters, Darla and Gail.

In addition to farming with Ken, Mavis continued her education and taught school. She attended summer sessions when she was able and eventually received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education. Mavis had a passion for teaching and a lifelong career. She began teaching in 1959 at Hick’s School which was a country school near Twin Brooks. In 1963 she began teaching grades five through eight at Twin Brooks School. Following the school merging with Milbank Public School, Mavis taught sixth grade in Milbank. She retired in 1997 and continued to substitute teach for 13 years. Mavis was quoted as saying “I had two wishes…to be a mother and a teacher. I fulfilled both my wishes.”

Mavis was a faithful member of Central United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday School and Bible School. She sang in the church choir and in a trio. She enjoyed the evening Bible Study group and served as secretary. She was a child’s mentor with Kid’s Hope Mission.

Mavis enjoyed reading. She loved to garden, both vegetables and flowers. Mavis and Ken enjoyed several bus tours throughout the United States. She was a talented seamstress, making most of her daughter’s clothing.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters: Darla Haugen of New Hope, MN; Gail Hanssen of Sioux Falls, SD; four grandchildren: Ryan Haugen of San Antonio, TX; Travis (Amanda) Haugen of Anchorage, AK; Alexa Hanssen of Sioux Falls, SD; and Preston Hanssen of Sioux Falls, SD; one great-granddaughter: Zakira Haugen; one sister, Janice (Jerre) Heikkila of St. Louis, MO.

Mavis was preceded in death by her parents, her husand Ken on July 16, 2014; her son-in-law, Pete Haugen; and her brother, Dale Schulte.

Mundwiler Funeral Home

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