A Celebration of Life Service to honor the life and legacy of Mary Caroline Halverson, age 102, of Jackson, will be held Saturday, September 7th, 2024 at 2:00 PM. A time of visitation and gathering will be held for one hour prior to the service, at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Jackson with Pastor Ted Carnahan officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Cemetery in Jackson.

The service will be livestreamed on the Our Savior's Lutheran Church Facebook page.

Mary Caroline Halverson transitioned to her eternal home on July 27, 2024, at the impressive age of 102. She loved life and lived it to the fullest, touching hundreds of people's lives over her many years.

Mary was born October 30, 1921, on a farm near Flandreau, SD to William and Susie (Saby) Crimmins. When Mary was six, her father died. She and her mother then moved into Flandreau proper, where she attended school, graduating in 1939. After two years at Augustana College, she moved to Minneapolis for work. There she met Palmer Halverson, a new chiropractic doctor. World War II had begun, inspiring Palmer to enlist in the Navy. Mary and Palmer were married December 14, 1942, in Los Angeles, shortly before Palmer was sent out into the Pacific. After the war, they settled into Palmer's hometown of Jackson, MN. There they raised two sons, John Arthur and Paul Saby.

Besides caring for her family, Mary assisted Palmer in his office and then worked full time at Federated Rural Electric for 17 years. They joined Our Savior's Lutheran Church, where Mary was active in Sunday School, teaching all grade levels as well as adult classes, and directing numerous Christmas pageants. She also led Tuesday Release classes and was active in the Women's Group and Bible Study.

Mary and Palmer enjoyed several trips to Norway, visiting their many relatives there. They retired together in 1983, allowing them the time to travel more frequently. During their retirement years they returned to Norway; traveled regularly to Missouri to visit John and his family and to upstate New York to visit Paul and his family; and were also able to spend time with other friends and family throughout the country.

Mary loved to knit; she loved the color purple; she loved playing cards and Bingo; and she had an incredible affinity for all things chocolate, especially hot fudge sundaes from Dairy Queen. Most of all, Mary loved to read. She used to say she was born with her nose in a book. She had a fondness for everything from Agatha Christie to historical fiction about Tudor queens. Above all, she loved the Bible and her daily devotionals. For years, Mary read stories on a local radio program as well as to the residents of the Good Samaritan nursing home. One of the most meaningful experiences of her later years was her involvement in the Jackson Arts Guild, where she sewed costumes and acted in several plays.

Mary had an unwavering faith and a remarkable way of loving unconditionally, bringing joy to everyone she met.

Mary is survived by her son John (Eunice) in Fenton, MO and daughter-in-law Catherine Egenberger in Byron, MN, as well as by grandchildren Nicole McManamon (Sean), Nathan Halverson, Colin Halverson, Annaliese Watson (Emily), and great-grandchildren Connor and Molly McManamon and Sylvie and Maeve Watson.

Mary is now with her husband Palmer (2002), granddaughter Krista (2023), and son Paul (2024). Mary, vi elsker og savner deg saa mye; we love you and miss you so much.

In lieu of flowers, Mary has requested to be honored by donations to Our Savior's Lutheran Church: 614 Logan Ave, Jackson, MN 56143 or missionaries, Paul and Laura Lere, at International Training Partners P.O. Box 64408 Colorado Springs, CO 80962