Mavis Salt

Georgia Mavis (Weatherwax) Salt Knudson was born on June 5, 1915 to George William and Clara Ethel (Lee) Weatherwax in Alexandria, MN. Mavis graduated from Alexandria High School in 1933 and was a member of the National Honor Society. She attended Normal Training for Education at Bemidji State College. Mavis moved back to the area to teach country school in the Kensington and Holmes City area. Mavis was united in marriage to Walter F. Salt on June 15, 1940 in Alexandria. During WWII she was in the selective service in Harrisburg, PA. She went back to teaching country school in the Alexandria area until 1972 when the last of Minnesota?s country schools were closed. Mavis then went to work for Alexandria Newspapers as Circulation Manager and wrote a weekly historical column; ?100 Years Ago ? 50 Years Ago? until her retirement in 1992. Mavis married Rev. Martin Knudson on August 3, 1985 in Alexandria. Mavis enjoyed knitting and made thousands of ?Caps for Kids?. She sang with The Euterpean Singers in Alexandria, and was active in her church circle. Mavis mostly loved spending and being with her grandchildren, Steven, Scott, and Kristin. Mavis died on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at Clearwater Suites at the age of 94. She is survived by her son, Tom Salt of Alexandria; daughter, Jeri Lee (Peter) Hillemeier of Alexandria; grandchildren; Steven (Lynn) Hillemeier of Olivia; Scott Hillemeier of Lakeville and Kristin (Brian) Bellicot of Savage; great-grandchildren, Kiley Sue Hillemeier, Kaleb Anthony Hillemeier, Kade Steven Hillemeier and Sydney Elle Bellicot; brother, Gerald (Poik) Weatherwax of Alexandria; and sisters, Audrey (Elroy) Froemming of Alexandria and Shirley (Hope) Bisek of Alexandria. Mavis was preceded in death by her by her parents, George and Clara Weatherwax; husbands, Walter F. Salt and Rev. Martin Knudson; daughter, Mary Kathleen Salt; and grandson, Joseph Scott Hillemeier. A special acknowledgement goes out to the caregivers at Clearwater Suites and Conservators, Anna Solheid and Rob Rydberg; and Julie Thompson. A funeral service was held on Friday, October 23, 2009 at the First Congregational, United Church of Christ in Alexandria with Reverend Scott Keehn officiating. Music was provided by organist, Diane Alveshere and soloist, Kim Byrne. Interment was in the Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria. Casket bearers were Dottie Erickson, Mark Erickson, Linda Pierce, Jim Schoenrock, Tom Byrne and Paula McGregor. Honorary casket bearers were Renee Byrne and Rick Pierce. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.