Mary D. Brehme Halverson

Mary Delores Brehme Halverson passed away on Saturday, September 15, 2018, at 5:36 p.m. at her home in Concordia Village, Springfield, IL, surrounded by her family. Preceding her in death were her husband, Vern; her parents, Wilbur and Cecil Brehme; and her brother, Jerry Brehme. Mary is survived by her five children, Sue (Pat) Landgrebe, Terry (Terrence) Moody, Jill (Mike) Meseke, Steve (Sharon) Halverson and Scott Halverson; grandchildren, Kyle (Kayla) Zellers, Chelley (Ben) Macon, Jeremy and Lindsey Landgrebe, Cade (Kirstin Cooksey), Caitlyn and Cara Moody, Coleton and Clayton Meseke, and Kramer and Leah Halverson; great-grandchildren, Will, Jack and Kinsley Zellers, Landon and Addison Macon, and Thomas Moody; and many nieces and nephews. Mary was very proud of her family and enjoyed gathering with them and sharing stories. Mary was born May 25, 1930, in Muscatine, IA. The family moved to West Union, IA, where Mary graduated from West Union High School and went on to Rockford College. On Christmas Day, 1951, she married Vern and transferred to the University of Iowa. She graduated with degrees in Mathematics and Finance. After graduation, Vern and Mary started their construction circuit, moving from Iowa to Ohio, Wisconsin, Algonquin, IL, and in 1962 made their way to Springfield, IL. Mary was involved in the Miriam Circle of UMW, served on the Finance Committee at Douglas Methodist Church, the Ann Rutledge Unit of Home Extension, bowling league, golfing league, Ski & Boat Club, and served as a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader. Education was extremely important to Mary. She even went door-to-door campaigning for the District 186 school bond referendum. Football was also important, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Green Bay Packers. In 1978, she and Vern started Halverson Construction Company, where Mary served as Executive Vice-President of the company and managed the office. Those who worked with her will remember her positive attitude, quiet strength, and her sense of humor. She was very proud of the company and the people who worked with them. The family would like to thank the staff at Concordia Village for their excellent care! Mary considered them her friends and loved living there. Mary loved life and lived it with gusto! As she often told us, "Its been a good day!" Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church, 501 S. Douglas Ave., Springfield. Additional Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, September 20, 2018, at Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church. A Funeral Ceremony will follow at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Julia Melgreen and Pastor Margaret Ann Jessup officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Douglas Avenue United Methodist Church, 501 S. Douglas Ave., Springfield, IL 62704, or to Concordia Village Benevolent Care Fund, 4101 W. Iles Ave., Springfield, IL 62711.