Joanne Halverson

Joanne Halverson, 80, of Decorah, formerly of Mabel, Minn., died Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at the WinnMed in Decorah, Iowa. 

Joanne was born January 26, 1943, in San Francisco, Calif., to John and Genevieve (Knox) Freidhof.  She grew up in Elma, Iowa, graduating from the Immaculate Conception Academy in 1961.  In 1962 she received her Licensed Practical Nursing diploma from the St. Mary’s School of Practical Nursing in Rochester, Minn.  She worked at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester until 1974 when she was united in marriage to Keith Halverson.  They lived on their farm in rural Mabel where they raised their children, Jessica and Andrew.  Joanne would later work at Tweeten Health Care until retiring.  She was a member of the St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel.  She enjoyed being an “Avon Lady” and visiting with her customers, playing cards, bowling, cake decorating, water aerobics, singing, and loved taking photos. She will be most remembered for taking care of others.

Joanne is survived by her husband Keith, of Decorah; children Jessica (Jay) Solum of Spring Grove, and Andrew (Megan) of Woodbury, Minn.; grandchildren Jacob, Evander, Katie, Liviana, Caleb, Connor and Chase; siblings Judi (Tom) Henderson of Clarkston, Ga., John Freidhof of Spirit Lake, Iowa, Terri Thayer of Marion, Iowa, Leonard (Mollie) Freidhof of Lanark, Ill., and Tim Freidhof of Osseo, Wis.; sisters-in-law Loretta Halverson of Rochester and Lorraine Rud of Waukon, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews, extended family members, and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Peter Palmersheim, and brothers-in-law Leonard and Darryl.

Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at the St. Olaf Catholic Church in Mabel.  Burial will be in the Scheie North Cemetery in rural Mabel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.