Mavis Audree Jepsen

Mavis (Heide) Jepsen of Woodbury, MN passed away peacefully in her sleep with family by her side on Sunday, May 7, 2023. A memorial service will be held at Washburn-McReavy, Bloomington Chapel, 2300 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN 55431, on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 2:00pm with a reception to follow. A gathering of family and friends will begin at 1:00pm. The service will also be livestreamed on the Washburn-McReavy.com website. A private burial will be held in Bowbells, ND at a later date.
Mavis was born on July 4, 1937, in Crosby, ND. She was the daughter of Martin and Ann (Stromstad) Heide. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She was raised on a farm near Alkabo, ND along with her five siblings.
She attended a rural school, and graduated from Oak Grove Lutheran High School in Fargo, ND in 1955. That fall, she enrolled at Minot State College where she received her B.S. in Elementary Education in 1963. She would teach a year or two to make some money so she could continue to reach her goal of graduating with her B.S. It took her eight years, but she never gave up, going to summer school and evening classes to reach her goal faster.
On July 7th, 1963, she married Lyle Jepsen, a farmer from Coteau, ND. They moved onto their newly built farmstead where they raised their five children. They all enjoyed working together on their farm. She especially enjoyed the sporting events their children were involved in including grade school, high school, college, and beyond. She was very involved in their church, serving two terms on the church council, and teaching Sunday school and confirmation classes. Faith, family, and friends were important to her.
She and her husband along with their children and grandchildren enjoyed many fun trips to Hawaii, Florida, Chicago, Denver, and Mexico. Trips to Medora, ND and Roseville, MN were frequent for the family to go while the kids were growing up. In 1982, she and her parents and two siblings enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Norway.
She and her husband spent several winters in Palm Desert, CA before Lyle's death in 2004. She then moved to Kenmare, ND for three years before moving to Cottage Grove, MN to make her home with her son, Ken, and his family for five years, then to Stonecrest in Woodbury, MN where she lived ten years.
Writing was something she enjoyed doing, which included a book of stories she wrote and illustrated for her grandchildren. She enjoyed teaching, which included rural Divide County, Williston, ND, Glendive, MT, plus substitute teaching in Bowbells, ND for 10 years.
Survivors include daughter Julene (Eric) Lesher; sons Nate (Lenell) Jepsen, Les Jepsen, Ron Jepsen and Ken (Lisa) Jepsen; six delightful grandchildren Steve (Amber) Lesher, Josh Lesher, Will Jepsen, Lauren Jepsen; step-grandson Ryan Swartwout, step-granddaughter Taylor Swartwout; brother Dwight (Nancy) Heide; sisters Marilyn Waller and Gracia (Paul) Jensen; sisters-in-law Pam Carlson and Violet Jepsen; and many nieces, nephews, and friends including special friends Darla Kjelstrom, Evelyn (Tootsie) Heide, and John Waller.
Preceding her in death were her husband Lyle; parents Martin and Ann Heide; father-in-law and mother-in-law Carl, Sr. and Mathilda Jepsen; brothers Phil Heide and Dan Heide; brothers-in-law Elwood Jepsen and Carl Jepsen, Jr; sister-in-law Michelle Heide; and nephew Bruce Heide.
Memorial contributions may be made to Metigoshe Ministries at 165 Lake Loop Rd, Bottineau, ND, 58318 or at MetigosheMinistries.com. www.Washburn-Mcreavy.com
Werness Bros. Chapel 952-884-8145