Mavis Diment, 68, of Marcus, Iowa passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa after a recurrence of cancer she first battled with courage on February 2, 1984, and with the belief that each day was an undeserved gift from that day forward. A graveside service will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at the Liston Township Cemetery in Danbury, Iowa. Rev. Ron Rice of Grace United Methodist Church in Marcus will officiate.

Mavis Elosie Diment was born on July 15, 1947, in Cherokee, Iowa, to Robert Diment, her beloved “Daddy-O,” and Avis (Black) Diment. She would later graduate from high school in Anthon, Iowa, in 1965, and begin a distinguished career as a teacher in the Marcus school district. Miss. Diment inspired and encouraged countless students of English and Speech with her caring attention and enormous sense of humor, commenting years later that you should never mention commas in a high school freshman class. Mavis was blessed with a kind heart and infectious smile. She described earning her Master of Library Science degree in 1991 from Emporia State University as a very good day and was forever grateful for her education and the support of her many cousins and family, friends, neighbors and colleagues who will forever miss her joyful spirit and thoughtful conversation. She was a Facebook friend to many and in a fitting last post and tribute to her of July 4, 2015, shared a bible verse and commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Mavis was an avid reader and delighted in cooking, collecting and sharing recipes, and became a frequent contributor to Taste of Home magazine. She also enjoyed knitting and crochet, often sharing her beautiful blankets and homemade gifts with others. She was active in the United Methodist Church and as a good Wesleyan was long on good works and knew A.S.A.P. meant always say a prayer. She liked NASCAR along with favorite writers and television dramas from the Little House books to the series Longmire. Her own writing exuded the beauty of her childhood growing up on her family’s farm. She cherished memories of family gatherings along with her favorite animals and pets like her present family of cats, Callie, Dusty and Sunny.

Above all Mavis was proud and thankful for a long line of family members who had served their country in the military including her father, Bob, Uncle Troy, Uncle Ben, Uncle Rus, and Uncle Lloyd, whom she loved and preceded her in death along with her mother, Avis.