Obituary of Mavis Eggert

Mavis J. (Weiland) Eggert, 82, of Duluth, Minn. passed away Tuesday, November 7, 2017, at home surrounded by family. Mavis was born Feb. 18, 1935, in North Dakota to Lewis and Katherine (Oster) Weiland. She graduated from Central High School in 1953 and married Harlan Eggert, her high school sweetheart, on Feb. 20, 1954. Harlan joined the US Navy shortly after they were married, and Mavis embraced life as a military wife and mother. Military life was an adventure, and she was always up for the challenge. After being stationed in Connecticut, they returned home to Duluth and were proud Duluth Heights residents for over 50 years. Mavis worked at National Foods until her retirement. She took pride in her work and strived to pass her work ethic on to her family. Mavis was also a dedicated volunteer with the St. Mary's Auxiliary and St. Mary's Gift Shop. She gave countless hours as a buyer and as Treasurer. She made wonderful friends through her volunteering and truly valued the lives she touched, giving as much of her heart as her time. Mavis gave fully of her heart. She loved the time she and Harlan spent at Sand Point Yacht Club. She loved the traveling they did - adventuring to Germany, Japan, and anywhere their boat or camper could take them. And she loved her friends, often talking about treasured life-long friendships as well as newer members of the flock. One by one, she adopted her caregivers and made them part of her family. Mavis was tenacious in her love of family. Her home was lovingly referred to "the Nest," a name Mavis embraced and celebrated. It was the sanctuary she offered her family as she embodied the strongest and most sincere traits of a matriarch. A member of her flock could not help but feel loved and supported just by walking in the door, and each one strived to be a better person because of her. Mavis loved Friday morning breakfasts at Perkins to visit Lisa, attending school and sporting events, card games with the neighbors, and perfectly manicured red fingernails. Mavis could be counted on to make her famous chocolate cake for anyone who asked - even in August when the kitchen was 90 degrees. When it became more difficult for her to travel, she relished regular Facetime sessions with her grandkids and great grandkids. Mavis' family was her heart and soul, and Mavis was the heart and soul of her family. There was no "bad time" for a visit; the door to "the Nest" was always open. As friend, auntie, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother Mavis treasured every moment spent with those she loved. They were a gift to her, and she never stopped expressing that gratitude. To Mavis, the kids were always "perfect." Mavis was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers Herbert (Bud), Jerry and Vernon, sister Viola Severson, son-in-law Mark Rathke, and nephew David Severson. She is survived by children Margo Rathke, Patti (Bill) Miller and Gretchen (Bruce) Koehn; grandchildren Katie (Derek) Mann, Molly Rathke, Sam (Angelica Medina) Rathke, Andrew Kim, Jen (John) Lushbough, Billy (Leanaya) Miller, Brian (Iris) Miller, Judson Koehn and Taylor Koehn; great-grandchildren Caden, Dylann, Jack, Lexi, Ruby, Espy, Lily, Luzia, and Harlan; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A special "thank you" to Bobbie and Diana. Mavis' family is forever grateful for the compassion and exceptional care she received from all of her caregivers and from Solvay Hospice House. Visitation at 2 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 12 at Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Avenue, Duluth, (218) 624-5200. Memorials are preferred to Solvay Hospice House.