Paul Halverson

Paul Saby Halverson, age 70, of Byron, Minnesota, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by loved ones and lilac blossoms, on Sunday, May 12th, 2024.

Paul was born on November 23rd, 1953, in Jackson, Minnesota. He was the second son of Mary and Palmer Halverson. During his college years, he met the love of his life, Catherine Egenberger. They married on May 16th, 1982, and moved to upstate New York for Paul's new job at IBM and Catherine's graduate program. It was there that their two children, Colin and Annaliese, entered the world. Ten years later, almost to the day, they moved back to Minnesota to raise their young family closer to relatives, including his now 102-year-old mother. Their Byron household quickly filled with a cherished sundry of dogs, cats, hamsters, fish, newts, hermit crabs, and an incredibly long-lived rabbit.

Paul had an eclectic and broad interest in music, art, and travel. He played guitar and banjo and a welter of other instruments, regularly serenading his children with folk songs. His notebooks were full of sketches and caricatures, and his winning Boggle score sheets were embellished with whimsical designs. He loved working with his hands: In his garage woodshop, in his meticulous flower gardens, and throughout his home. The pond he and his family built in their backyard was lined with stones and shells they had brought back from their trips to Eidfjord and Kalaloch, Sanibel, and the North Shore.

After retiring from IBM, Paul enjoyed a decade of work at Western Digital, where many of his coworkers became good friends. He also committed himself to daily CrossFit classes offered by his new employer. After Catherine's retirement, she and Paul canoed, biked, traveled, and enjoyed the quiet, daily rituals of a good coffee and word games, sitting together by the fireplace. The birth of his beloved granddaughter Sylvie in 2022 greatly enhanced the joys of his later years.

Paul's family and friends will never forget his patience, his sense of humor, and his unconditional devotion to those he loved.

Paul is survived by his wife of 42 years, Catherine Egenberger of Byron, MN; son Colin Halverson of Indianapolis, IN; daughter Annaliese (Emily) Watson of Rochester, MN; granddaughter Sylvie; mother Mary Halverson of Jackson, MN; and brother John (Eunice) Halverson of Fenton, Missouri.

Paul is preceded in death by his father, Palmer Halverson.

His family would like to express their deep appreciation and gratitude for the countless acts of kindness shown to them, both during and after Paul's fourteen-month struggle with pancreatic cancer.

In lieu of flowers, Paul requested that memorial gifts be made to Mayo Clinic for Medical Oncology research.

Mail*: Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905

Phone*: 507-284-2264 or 855-852-8129

Online*: philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donateMC

* Please indicate when making the gift that it is a contribution to the Paul Saby Halverson Fund for Medical Oncology research. Donors will receive a receipt for their charitable gift, and they may request a letter regarding their donation be sent on their behalf to Paul's wife Catherine.

Paul's memorial service will be held at noon on Sunday, May 19th, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home in Rochester, Minnesota. Visitation will precede the memorial service from 10:00 to noon, and a casual gathering of loved ones will immediately follow in the Barrel Room at Forager Brewery, also in Rochester.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes is honored to be serving the Halverson family; to share a special moment or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com