Marvis Ann Risius
Marvis Ann Risius, 82, Lake Mills, passed away Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 peacefully at her home while under hospice care. Private family memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 28, at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills, with Pastor Ryan Henkel of Emmons Lutheran Church officiating. Services will be livestreamed on the Mittelstadt Funeral Home Facebook page. A gathering of friends and family will be held one hour prior to services Friday. Per state mandate, Masks and social distancing will be strictly enforced. Burial of cremains will be held at a later date in Salem Memorial Cemetery, Lake Mills.
Marvis Ann (Flentje) Risius was born March 30, 1938 on a farm in Fairbault Co., Minn. She was the daughter of Howard and Agnes (Gullikson) Flentje. Marvis was confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Winnebago, Minn., in 1952.
Marvis’s early education began in Huntly, Minn., where she graduated in 1956, she also took college courses at NIACC, Mason City.
In March of 1955, Marvis met Norman Risius and they were married for 63 years and 11 months. Marvis and Norm lived in Florida and Virginia while Norm was stateside in the Navy and Minnesota & Iowa after his discharge.
Marvis was a homemaker for most of her married life, but in 1970 decided to join the workforce as a bookkeeper for the Farmers Coop Elevator. She retired in 1994.
Marvis and Norm enjoyed traveling, visiting all 50 states and parts of Canada and Mexico. They spent their retirement winters in Mission, Texas and met many wonderful people from all over the U.S. and Canada. Marvis also loved to read, go for walks, play cards and travel. Her biggest joy was spending time with the family.
Marvis will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Marvis taught Sunday School for five years in Thompson and Lake Mills. She also served two years on the Salem Lutheran Church council and two years on the staff support committee. She enjoyed circle and stayed in the same circle for many years with friends she cherished.
Marvis is survived by her husband, Norman, of 63 years; one daughter, Nila (Paul) Woodworth, Winona, Minn.; son-in-law, Robert Elsbury, Appleton, Wis.; three grandchildren: Kristen (Aaron) Patrick, Osage; Shawn (Jillian) Elsbury, Rochester, Minn.; and Jason (Amy) Elsbury, Kingman, Ariz.; and numerous great-grandchildren; two brothers: Arnold (Janice) Flentje, Brooklyn Center, Minn.; Jerry Flentje, Burnsville, Minn.; and two brother-in-laws: Marvin (Fran) Risius, Boalsburg, Penn.; and Marvin (Kathy) Risius, Lafayette, Colo.; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by one daughter, Tara Elsbury, Aug. 21, 2020; her parents, Agnes Flentje in 1987, and Howard Flentje, in 2001; parents-in-law, Jake Risius in 1997, and Annie Risius, in 2002; and three sisters-in-law; Linda Flentje, Betty Flentje and Joan Flentje.
