Avis Mae (Olson) Mabry

Avis Mae (Olson) Mabry passed into the arms of our Lord on October 29, 2023, at the age of 90. She was born October 2, 1933, to John and Alice Olson of Balsam Lake, Wisconsin. Avis graduated from Balsam Lake High School. After graduation, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she worked in the Muunsingwear office. Avis married Ted Mabry on November 27, 1954, at Balsam Lake Methodist Church. They had one child, Michael Donald Mabry who was born in 1959. Avis was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She relished time spent with her family.

Avis was active in the Balsam Lake community and volunteered as a Cub Scout leader and taught Sunday School and Bible School at the United Methodist Church. She belonged to the Balsam Lake Study Club and was a member of the Literary Board. She enjoyed gardening and being a member of the Balsam Lake Garden Club. She also gave her time to others as a volunteer for Lakeview Hospice, Ruby's Pantry, and the Festival Theatre.

Avis enjoyed camping and canoeing with her family. She also liked to travel. Some of the places she visited with family and friends were: Washington D.C. for the Cherry Blossom Festival, Michigan for the Tulip Festival, Hawaii, Kentucky, Branson-Missouri, New Orleans-Louisiana, Hoover Dam-Nevada, Atlanta-Georgia, Alaska, and Ireland.

She was active as a Red Hatter for many years and traveled with this group to a Red Hat convention in Las Vegas. One year her group made 560 cookies, plus candy and banana bread for families in need to have for the holidays. These ladies also made Crisis Care Kits for six hospitals.

Avis is preceded in death by her husband, Ted Mabry, parents, John and Alice Olson, brothers (and sisters-in-law), John Jr. (Shirley), Willard (Verna), and Arlie Olson, and sister, Joyce  Martinsen.

She is survived by her son, Michael (Cindy) Mabry, grandchildren, Mathew Mabry and Rebecca (Chad) Hierlinger, great-grandchildren, Cecelia and Theodore Mabry, and Rose Hierlinger, brother (and sister-in-law), Dale (Gloria) Olson, sister-in-law, Marie Olson, and many nieces, nephews and other loving family and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held at the United Methodist Church in Centuria, WI on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 11:00 AM with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM with Pastor Steve Rice officiating. The interment will take place at the Balsam Lake Cemetery in Balsam Lake, WI.  Casketbearers will be Brad Mabry, Scott Olson, Jon Olson, Doug Olson, Andy Nawrocki, Tom Mabry and Dennis Mabry.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Kolstad Family Funeral Home.