Mavis Marie Veronen

Mavis (Freitag) Veronen, age 81, of Wadena, formerly of rural Thomastown Township, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, a beautiful late summer Saturday, with her family by her side. She was born on December 20, 1943, in Bertha, Minnesota, the daughter of Walter and Selma (Rach) Freitag. On December 28, 1963, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Jay Charles Veronen, at Bartlett Lutheran Church in Bartlett Township. Together, they shared 61 years of marriage and built a full and joyful life raising their four boys, Kevin, Scott, Jeff, and Paul.

Mavis began her working years at Wadena State Bank, later provided in home daycare for neighborhood children, and eventually found her calling as a dietary aide in local nursing homes. She was known for gathering family and friends around the dining room table, where her specialties included monster cookies and marble cake with cooked chocolate chip frosting. She had a way of getting things done right at the one yard line. Her children fondly recall birthdays when Paul would have to carry a cake outside just so it could cool enough to frost.

She enjoyed collecting Beanie Babies and often brought the children she babysat along to pick out a special one of their own. Shopping was another favorite pastime, especially with her sister Karen. Together they would spend hours with the routine of browse, talk, browse, talk, filling carts to the brim only to check out with just one or two items. The sisters even enjoyed long, laughter filled visits at the bread store. At home, Mavis found joy in her garden, especially her colorful petunias and snapdragons.

Mavis was also known for her frequent calls to Paul in a frenzy asking for IT advice. To help her out, Paul eventually got her an Echo that she could point at her computer, allowing him to FaceTime the screen and figure out what was wrong. We can only hope that Heaven has a great IT department with top notch anti virus software.

The things that made life most worth living to Mavis were her family, her church, her beloved cats, the friends who surrounded her, and her loyal dachshund companion Rusty. She adored her husband, cherished time with her children and grandchildren, and found her greatest joy in making others feel loved and cared for.

Those left to honor her memory include her four sons: Kevin (Elizabeth) Veronen of Huntersville, Scott (Jennifer) Veronen of Verndale, Jeff (April) Veronen of Verndale, and Paul Veronen (and his beloved cat Garfield) of Fergus Falls; nine grandchildren: Autumn (Brady) Junes, Mysti (Ryan) Kindenhart, Jacky (Phil) Meyer, Emily (Robert) Ismil, Brianna (Stephon) Whitaker, Krysta Kopp, Katlyn Hamer, David Veronen, and Walter Veronen; her sister, Karen (Bob) Mudek of Staples; her sister in law, Barbara; as well as several great grandchildren who brought her endless joy.

She is preceded in death by her husband Jay, her parents Walter and Selma, her brother Gary Freitag, her sister in law Mary (Douglas), her brother-in-law Matthew, and her loving in laws Ray and Arlene Veronen.

Mavis will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her caring heart, her humor, and the way she made the ordinary moments of life feel special. Her family and friends will miss her deeply and will forever carry her love in their hearts. And while those here mourn her, the family finds comfort in knowing that Mavis & Jay are reunited once again.

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