Mavis Idell Zettergren

life story

Psalm 136:1

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

His love endures forever.

Mavis Idell Zettergren was born on January 11, 1944, to Monroe and Mildred (Martinson) Dragsten, in Minneapolis, MN. She grew up predominantly in Columbia Heights, MN and graduated from Columbia Heights High School in 1962. She attended Augsburg College then the U of M to attain a teaching degree. On May 22, 1965, she married Rod Zettergren and waited impatiently for him to return from Viet Nam so they could start their new life together. After starting out in North Carolina, they moved back to Minnesota and lived a few places before settling in Otsego.

She loved being a stay at home mom when she wasn’t working. She used her teaching degree, first doing substitute teaching, then in the school her older daughters attended. From there, she moved on to homeschooling her youngest daughter.

Mavis enjoyed spending time with both her family and church family. She loved connecting to people. She enjoyed traveling to family reunions and other gatherings. She was very active in her church and gained many lasting friendships.

A favorite pastime of hers was reading and she passed on the love of reading to her children. She was actively working on the grandchildren by finding them books that fit their interests.

Mavis had struggled with her health for a number of years after having cancer in the late 90’s/early 2000’s. It further declined after a stroke 6 years ago. She was a fighter and kept battling through to get a little more time to enjoy family and friends. After a rough year with her health, her final battle with cancer was brief. She was a firm believer in the saving Grace of God and knew where she was going. She died in her home on January 2, 2024, just short of her 80th birthday.

Mavis is survived by her husband Rod of almost 59 years, daughters Lisa, Julie (John), and Amanda, two grandchildren Justin and Jennie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Monroe and Mildred Dragsten and her brother Myron Dragsten.

memorial service

Memorial Service

January 12, 2024

Living Waters Church 21246 Meadowvale Rd NW, Elk River, MN 55330, USA

Visitation 1 hour before service starts with a meal following the service.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services