Maizel Yvonne Swanson Pontious

Maizel Yvonne Swanson Pontious was born in Grafton, North Dakota on June 22, 1927 to Richard (Art) and Sophia Swanson. She was raised on a farm in Hoople, North Dakota by parents who had met some servants of God following the simple teachings of Jesus. Maizel chose to walk in that way when she was a young woman. She had four siblings, Keith, Zona Faye Rohs, and Richard, now deceased and Jeannine (Jerry) Smith. Maizel attended the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, Minnesota studying nursing before marrying Leland Pontious of Milaca, Minnesota on June 19, 1948. They lived in Roseville, Minnesota until February 1966 when they moved to Scottsdale, Arizona with their five children. In 1993, Leland and Maizel retired to Mesa, Arizona. The last six years of her life, she lived at Mesa Good Shepherd Assisted Living in Mesa and Powell House Assisted Living in Payson, Arizona, lovingly attended by Tim and Betty Pontious.

Maizel is survived by one sister, Jeannine and husband Gerald Smith of Elk River, Minnesota; sister-in-law Wilma Swanson of Grafton, North Dakota; brother in-law, Howard Rohs of Maplewood, Minnesota; five children, Mary (Ken) MacAdams of Farmington, New Mexico; Jay (Lisa) Pontious of St. Louis, Missouri; Tim (Betty) Pontious of Payson, Arizona; Becky (Don) Schroeder of New Braunfels, Texas; and Ned (Renee) Pontious of Boise, Idaho. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren: Chris (Ann) MacAdams, Shesten MacAdams, Brian Pontious, Shannon Pontious (Matt) Dufon, Eric (Betsy) Pontious, Nevin (Scarlett) Pontious, Carlan Pontious, Candace Schroeder (Brad) Sandon, Theron (Angela) Schroeder, Lana Schroeder (Chase) Newman, Cori Pontious, Lindsey Pontious and eight great-grandchildren.

Maizel was loved by many and will be remembered for her warm hospitality, love of music and especially her love for God.

A visitation will be held Monday, February 10, 2014 from 5:00pm to 6:30pm with the Funeral Services starting at 7:00pm at Farnsworth Hall, 6159 E. University Dr., in Mesa. Interment services will be held Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at Mesa City Cemetery in Mesa.