Barbara T. Halvorson

BARBARA THEONE HALVORSON AUGUST 18, 1927 - MAY 16, 2015 Barbara Theone Halvorson, 87, passed away peacefully in her sleep from heart failure on May 16, 2015, at the Folkestone Presbyterian Home in Wayzata, Minnesota. Barbara was a lifetime resident of Menahga, MN, born on August 18, 1927, in Park Rapids, MN, to Pearl Lois Paulson and Walter Jens Paulson. She was raised in Menahga and attended the Menahga Public School until moving to Moorhead, MN, with her parents during her last two years of high school and graduating from the Moorhead High School. She married George C. Halvorson on June 2, 1946. After devoting herself to raising their three children until they all graduated from High School, Barbara began to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher and within three years was awarded her Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree from Bemidji State University, with majors in English and history. Upon completion of her degree, she began a 25-year teaching career at the Menahga Public High School as an instructor in both of those subjects. While teaching, she then went on to pursue a Masters Degree in library sciences from St. Cloud University, and became the chief librarian at the school, retiring in 1992 at age 65. She was passionate about her roles as an educator and a librarian and was much beloved and respected by her students, her fellow teachers, and the administrators. Shortly after her retirement, she ran for a position on the Menahga City Council and served two terms while also serving as a board member for the Green Pine Acres Nursing home. A project she was simultaneously heavily involved with and took lasting pride in was the design and and building of Menahga's first assisted living residence, Woodside Manor, viewing it as a much needed asset to the community she loved. Later, she became a co-founder and officer of the Spirit Lake Association, devoting a great deal of time and energy to the preservation and protection of the town's lake and surrounding wetlands. Barbara gave her all to whatever it was that she committed to which included her family, her community, and her church. She treasured her relationships with her many friends and relatives in Menahga, and it was with great sadness, five years ago, that she made the difficult decision to leave Menahga to live closer to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who resided in the Minneapolis area. During those years, she had the enjoyment of spending much more cherished time with them, while at the same time, a huge part of her heart remained in her hometown with the lifelong friends and relatives she missed. All who knew her knew that her door was always open to visitors and that they would unfailingly be greeted warmly at the door and immediately offered food she made sure to have on hand to serve to unexpected guests. She could and did pull together full meals on a moment's notice, or, at the least, insisted they help themselves to an array of items to nibble on over coffee and long conversations. She was not only always prepared for company, she never failed to be stylishly dressed for it. She loved to play competitive card and board games, the Twins and Vikings games, and home decorating. Those things never changed. Barbara will be remembered and deeply missed for her quick wit, her wisdom, her strength, her grace, and her faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband George, and her brother William Paulson. She is survived by her son George Charles Halvorson, daughter Linda Sue Halvorson, daughter Barbara Jean Bradford, her sister Shirley Cowie, sister Gail Paulson, brother Larry Paulson, twelve grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and more than a dozen nieces and nephews whom she loved and valued dearly. A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 22nd, at the First English Lutheran Church in Menahga. A public visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with Reverend Steve Bruer officiating. The organist will be Mary Hanninen. Interment will be at the Menahga City Cemetary at the gravesite next to her husband's. Casket bearers will include J.D. Halvorson, Seth Halvorson, Charles Halvorson, Michael Halvorson, Derek Schaible, and Theone Susser. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Genevieve Nelson and Charles Nelson. To view the video tribute or to leave on line condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com