Mavis L. Keilen

Mavis Lorraine, the daughter of William "Bill" and Dorothy (Curtis) Harbour, was born October 29, 1939 on the family farm in Maynard, Minnesota. Mavis graduated from Maynard school with the class of 1957 and attended Macalester College in St. Paul where she studied business administration. It was in St. Paul where she was swept off her feet at a dance by James (Jim) Keilen, they were united in marriage on September 10, 1960. After a short stay in Fort Polk, Louisiana, they made their home in rural Faribault where they raised their family.

Outside of bookkeeping for and co-ownership of Faribo Air Conditioning & Heating, Mavis was a lifelong learner, always trying new hobbies and acquiring new gadgets. She particularly enjoyed reading, travel, dancing, upholstery work, sewing, quilting, needle point, knitting, crocheting, basket making, stained glass art and introducing crafts to her grandchildren. She had an immense cookbook collection and was known to advise purchasing a cookbook was worth it if you came away with 2 solid recipes from the book.

Mavis passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Reflections in Faribault Senior Living. She is welcomed into heaven by husband Jim; parents, Bill & Dorothy Harbour; parents-in-law, Joe & Marion (Slocum) Keilen; sister, Beth Christiansen; sister-in-law, Kathy (Toots) Gessner; brothers-in-law, Bill Gessner, Rich Smith and Bob (Christy) Christiansen; and nephews, Tim Smith and Bob Christiansen.

She is survived by three children, Bill (Peggy) Keilen, John (Joyce) Keilen and Sally (Gene) Bauer; six grandchildren, Heather (Dan) Johnson, Holly (Matt) Collins, Billie (Jeff) Thomas; Tiffany (Jeremy) Beasley; Mike (Raelyn) Bauer and Tate Bauer (Justine Garcia); eleven great-grandchildren; sister, Doris Smith; nephews and nieces.

Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home with Pastor Rex Longshore officiating. Interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. on Saturday at the funeral home prior to the service.

Mavis’s family is profoundly grateful for the excellent team at Faribault Senior Living and Minnesota Hospice who provided gentle, compassionate care, supported her independence and consistently ensured her comfort and dignity.

Funeral arrangements are being completed by the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory.