Violet Halfmann

Violet Marie Halfmann, lifelong resident of the Stephen area, passed away on April 23, 2021 at the Northstar Manor, in Warren, Minnesota, at the age of ninety-seven years, one month and 3 days.

The youngest child and only daughter of Gustaf Walfred Anderson and Ella Esther (Erickson) Anderson, she was delivered and named by her father on their Eagle Point Twp farm. When she started first grade at the age of 5, she spoke only Swedish. After completing country school, she went on to attend high school at the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston. During the summers at home, she participated in the 4-H Club program, winning two trips to the State Fair for Foods demonstrations.

She and Paul Halfmann were married November 3, 1943, at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, and they established their farm home on Section 17 of Augsburg Twp. To this marriage were born five children: Bonita (Richard) Burnson of Mesa, Arizona, Paulette (William) Sikora, of Tucson, Arizona, a daughter who was stillborn, Craig (Marlys), of Stephen, and Patricia (Michael) Gfrerer, of Shoreview, Minnesota.

Over the years, Violet was an active member of the Happy Corner Homemakers Club, Royal Neighbors, the Stephen Curling Club, and St. Stephen's Ladies' Aid. She served as an adult leader for the Happy Corner 4H Club during the years her children were active 4-Hers. She was on a test kitchen panel for the Farm Journal magazine, and in 1978, she and Paul were honored as the “Farmer-Homemaker” from Marshall County. She was an active Bridge player for many years, an avid crafter and antique collector.

Throughout their forty-one years of marriage, she and Paul enjoyed many activities together—dancing, socializing with friends and family, curling, golfing, snowmobiling, and spending time at the lake (first on Springsteel Island, and later at Warroad Estates). Their travels took them on many long driving trips across the USA, and on agricultural tours of England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Brazil, Venezuala, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. After Paul's death, she and her childhood friend, Dorothy (Rud) Kirsch, cruised to Alaska, New England and the St. Lawrence Seaway, and to many locations in the Carribbean.

She and Paul moved to Stephen in 1981, where she spent much time gardening-- her perennial beds bloomed from spring until fall. After Paul's death in 1984, she began spending her winters in Apache Junction, Arizona.

She moved to the Tamarac in the summer of 2005, and spent many happy years there before her health required a move to the Northstar nursing home in Warren in June of 2019.

She will be remembered as a wonderful cook and excellent homemaker, skilled at dozens of crafts, and a dearly loved Mother, Grandmother, and Aunt.

Violet was preceded in death by her husband, both her parents, her three older brothers, Roy, Philip and Harry, son-in-law Richard Burnson. In addition to her four children, Violet is survived by five grandchildren-- Jennifer Schiemann, Lisa (James) Reyes, Katie (Darrin) Adolphson, Brent (Katrina) Halfmann and Brian (Paige) Halfmann—and nine great grandchildren, Mason and Nolan Reyes, Annika, Austin, Ashley and Asher Adolphson, Avianna and Sophia Halfmann, and William Halfmann.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Monday, April 26, 2021, at 2:00 PM, in St. Stephen Catholic Church, Stephen, MN.
VISITATION: Prior to Mass, starting at 12:30 PM in the Church.
INTERMENT: St. Stephen Catholic Cemetery, Stephen, MN.

MEMORIALS PREFERRED TO: Stephen Volunteer Fire Department, Stephen Volunteer Ambulance Service or Hospice of the Red River Valley

To watch a video of Violet's funeral service, please click the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/165181363494299/videos/797933727823335