Mavis Jansen, 72, died on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Oakland Park Communities, Thief River Falls, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, May 21, 2011 at St. Bernards Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 5-8 PM, Friday, May 20, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.


Mavis Ann Townsend was born on August 15, 1938 to John Henry and May Ivy (Maisey) Townsend in Leicester, England. She was baptized in the Church of England. She grew up in Leicester and attended school there. She met her future husband David Allen Jansen while he was stationed in the Air Force in England. They were united in marriage on November 4, 1961. The couple moved to the United States and lived in New Mexico for a short time before moving to Grand Rapids, MN in 1963. They lived there for 13 years and Mavis helped her husband with their soft drink business. In March of 1976, they moved to Thief River Falls, MN and bought the T-59 Motel. Mavis, her husband David, and their son Travis have worked together side by side running the motel all of these years.

Mavis was the ultimate easy going person. She enjoyed watching movies and traveling all over the world. Other than her husband, son, and dog Toby, her biggest passion was the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. She attended many games and would travel to watch the NFL draft. She adorned her home and business in Vikings and Twins garb, supporting the teams to the max.

She is survived by her husband David, of Thief River Falls, MN, one son Travis of Thief River Falls, MN, two sisters: Eileen King and Joan (David) Huss of Leicester, England.

Mavis was preceded in death by her parents.

PALLBEARERS: Rick Bellino, Ryan Ricci, Garrett Johnson, Rick Bellino Jr., Keith Olson, Mike Kataska
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: All of her many friends in the Minnesota Vikings Club