Mavis Renae Velikanje

Born on April 9, 1952, to Rudolph and Elsie (Coons) Jensen, Mavis was raised and lived most of her life in Yakima. She graduated from East Valley High School in 1970 and went on to attend the Peterson School of Business in Seattle.

Mavis was married from 1971-81 to Michael Johnson, with whom she shared her beloved daughter, Jenae. In 1984, she married George Velikanje, beginning 42 happy, fun, and loving years.

Settling permanently in Yakima in the 1984 with George, Mavis began a career as a trust advisor and financial planner. She joined U.S. Bank as a trust officer in 1984, rising to become a vice president of that institution. Along the way, she proudly earned her Certified Financial Planner accreditation. In 1995, she left U.S. Bank to start her own financial advisory business, where she advised clients on asset diversification and conservation, estate planning, and other financial management needs for more than 20 years. She helped her clients navigate some of the most complicated and confusing moments of their lives, and many came to consider her not just an advisor but a close and trusted friend, thanks to her kindness, compassion, her ability to put her clients’ need first, and her commitment to serving them.

Mavis's dedication to her clients was just one expression of her service-oriented spirit. A committed philanthropist, she made generous financial and time gifts to many organizations over the years, including United Way, Planned Parenthood, the Capitol Theater, Yakima Arboretum and Greenway, and Rod's House, where she especially enjoyed providing home-cooked meals.

Mavis loved and appreciated the natural world, and she spent countless hours tending to the landscaping and gardens of her homes. Her marriage to George brought out her adventurous side. Together they summited Mount Adams - an achievement she remained proud of for the rest of her life – and shared fishing trips to Alaska, the Olympic Peninsula, as well as a memorable trip down the middle fork of the Salmon River.

A Seahawks fan from the team’s inception (and long before they won anything), Mavis delighted in being a “12” and avidly watched games with family and friends. She would gleefully recount games to her daughter over the phone as she celebrated the team’s success.

Mavis’ love of the outdoors also fueled a lifetime of travel, especially when it meant reuniting with Jenae in far flung locations. From the beaches of Oregon, Hawaii, and Tahiti; to the mountains of Alaska, Argentina, and New Zealand; to the gardens of France, Spain, and Japan, Mavis explored the world first with George, and later with her daughter, creating memories that will be cherished for years to come.

Mavis is survived by her husband, George Velikanje; her daughter, Jenae Johnson; stepsons Bob Velikanje (Mary Kay) and John Velikanje (Stacy); grandchildren Elizabeth, Megan (Nathan), Ravyn (Logan), and Gunnar (Paige); great-grandchildren Kingston, Parker, Bodhi, and Jack; and two brothers, Leslie Jensen and Larry Jensen. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister.

A celebration of life will be held July 30 at 1:00pm at Keith & Keith at 902 Yakima Avenue. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations be made to the Yakima Greenway Foundation in recognition of Mavis’ love of nature and the Yakima Valley.