Mavis Ellen Klein

Mavis Ellen Klein was born on December 27, 1940 in Winner, SD to Clarence and Tressa (Jordan) Nelson, the first of two children. She was later joined by a brother, Wesley, in 1944.

Mavis attended Lincoln rural school in Tripp County for her elementary education while living on the family farm. She attended high school in Gregory, SD and graduated in 1959. Mavis then attended Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, SD for a year before moving to Orlando, Florida to attend a Secretarial Training course while living with her Jordan grandparents. She returned to SD in 1962 where she started working as an office secretary in Pierre, Tripp County Extension office in Winner, and returned later to Gregory to work as the United Methodist Church secretary where she was a lifelong member.

On November 14, 1964 she married Carl Lloyd Klein at the Methodist Church. To this union, a son Keven was born in December of 1966. She felt blessed to serve as a "step grandmother" to Kathlyn Nadal as she lived with Mavis and Carl during her high school years. Mavis was instrumental in ensuring Kathlyn went to college after graduation. She always enjoyed and attended the Gregory High School events and cheered for the Gorillas each season.

Mavis spent the majority of her married life in Gregory, except for a brief return to the family farm in Tripp County. She loved living on the farm and raising Hereford cattle. She could do almost anything on the farm from working in the fields to driving the tractors, and especially loved the old International H. Even after moving back into Gregory and later to Pierre, she enjoyed going to the Livestock Sales in Winner and Ft. Pierre. She was often teased "Don't buy a bull today as you don't have room for one".

During her time in Gregory, she held many different positions and enjoyed each one as she worked as Church Secretary and Custodian, an employee of the Rosebud Mental Health Center in Winner, and for many years as a teachers aide at the Gregory Elementary School. She loved working with people and was very adept at craft projects. She had an amazing doll collection. Mavis was an active member and officer of the Lions Club in Gregory and enjoyed the statewide gatherings. She was also a member of the Valley Reading Circle where she enjoyed being with her many friends.

Mavis and Carl sold their home in Gregory in 2018 to move to Pierre to be closer to their son, Keven and his special friend, Jessi Iwan. They resided in an apartment there until declining health necessitated a move to the Aventara Pierre Longterm Care Facility. In January, 2024 she moved back to Gregory to the Rosebud Country Care Center.

Mavis passed away at the Rosebud Country Care Center on November 17, 2025 at the age of 84 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Carl.

Mavis is survived by her son Keven Klein and friend, Jessi Iwan, of Pierre, brother Wes Nelson (Nancy) of Spearfish, niece Amy Cermak of Spearfish, and nephew Troy Nelson of Seattle, WA., and a very special person, Kathlyn Nadal of Sioux Falls.

Funeral Services for Mavis Klein, of Gregory, SD, were held on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 10:30 am at the United Methodist Church in Gregory with Reverend Thanael Certa-Werner officiating.

Music was provided by Bette Fogel, pianist.

Congregational hymns were "The Old Rugged Cross" and "His Eye Is On The Sparrow."

Soloist Geoff Smith sang "In The Garden."

Alice Miner was in charge of registration.

Ann Fogel was flower attendant.

Casket Bearers were Wes Schell, Ronnie Shattuck, Bryan Nelson, Steve Kubik, Dick Shaffer, and Bob Fenenga.

Honorary Casket Bearers were the past and present members of the Valley Reading Circle and the Gregory Lions Club.

Interment was in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Gregory, SD.