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Mavis Genevieve Dutton Reintsma, 91, passed away Saturday, March 13, 2021 in her daughter’s home with family at her side.
Born August 19, 1929, in Terry, Montana to parents Wayne and Mildred Dutton, Mavis moved with her family to Cody, Wyoming, where she was joined by 6 other siblings, making her the 9th of 15 children.
Mavis attended the Lower Sage Creek school and graduated from Cody High School in 1948. She married Kenneth Reintsma on November 25,1948 and worked as a bank teller for many years at both Security Bank in Billings and First National Bank in Lewistown and Great Falls. Mavis and Kenny began their family with the arrival of Karen in 1961 and Sherri in 1964. Meanwhile, Kenny and Mavis started the business Central Welding Supply, Mavis quit her job to do the bookkeeping for the business and raise her daughters.
These years were potato soup days, and Mavis was known for making the best potato soup in the county. Mavis and Kenny’s life revolved around their family, loving them unconditionally and being an example of truth. When grandchildren arrived, Kenny and Mavis enjoyed special times with each of them. After Kenny’s death in 1997, Mavis lived in her home until her health began to fail at age 80; She moved into Sherri and Gary’s home. Although Mavis suffered a stroke in 2018, she never complained, but continued to smile, be thankful, and encourage others. She lived the remainder of her days in Sherri and Gary’s home.
Mavis was known for her smile and quick wit. She would often wear “Life is Good” shirts, which was her perception of life. She was quick to remind people that she had lived longer than any of her siblings. Her life was filled with love and care for others, and her heart was big enough to embrace countless brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and beloved friends. When approached with difficult situations, her mantra was, “We can always be kind.”
Mavis loved to drive, meeting friends for coffee and visiting family. When no longer able to drive, she loved to go for rides in town and the country. She loved coffee shops; her drink of choice was an extra hot, double shot, peppermint mocha. On Saturday mornings, she could be found having coffee and breakfast with friends, while Sunday nights were reserved for playing games with friends and family.
Raised in a Godly home, Mavis made her choice to serve God in June of 1980. Her relationship with God meant everything to her. She loved the ministers as well as the fellowship and gospel meetings. When asked recently for her “best piece of life advice,” she answered, “God first.” Though her physical body failed, her spirit never wavered;
She remained steady and true. There is comfort knowing that her heart was in the right place and that she is now safe in God’s hands.
Mavis is survived by daughters Karen Weik and Sherri (Gary) Widhalm; grandsons (Kyle, Connor, Bryce, & Weston); great-granddaughters (Tessa & Fiamma); brother Raymond Dutton; sister Patricia (Dave) Dimzoff; special sister-in-law Janet Dutton, and many nieces and nephews. She is survived by many, many friends–including special friends Betty and Dennis Figarelle who were like family to her. Mavis was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, 8 brothers, and 4 sisters.
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