Mary Ann Halverson

Mary Ann Halverson, 76, of Marshalltown, died on Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at her home.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be directed to Central Iowa Art Association at 709 South Center Street, Marshalltown, Iowa 50158. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com . Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Mary and her family. Phone 641-844-1234.Mary Ann Gardner was born on November 20, 1934, in Marietta, Iowa. She was the daughter of John Albert and Mary Rose (Fuller) Gardner. Mary attended Marshalltown schools, graduating from Marshalltown High School. On June 30, 1951, Mary married Robert Lee Roy Halverson in Marshalltown. They had resided in Manhattan, Kansas and Marshalltown, Iowa. They later divorced. Mary enjoyed being a stay at home mom and when her sons were in high school she started her working career. She had worked for Area Region 6, City Engineers Office, Marshalltown Transit Department, Otillie Seed Farm, DONCO Air Products and Iowa Job Service. She also enjoyed volunteering at Central Iowa Art Association. Mary had also operated a gift shop at the Quarry Depot which she had spent 10 years restoring. Mary had a vast array of interests, enjoyed being a homemaker and was quite a seamstress. She and Robert finished three new houses during the time they were raising their sons in the three bridges area. She loved to garden and enjoyed her flowers and later developed a keen interest in organically grown foods. She was an avid reader and researched many interesting topics. Mary was a huge music fan and read many books on the musical journey of Bob Dylan. She bought the Quarry Depot in 1989 and brought it back from near collapse to a fully functioning residence. Mary always kept bubble gum handy for the neighborhood kids who frequently would visit her.Left to cherish Marys memory are her children: Bob (Janet) Halverson and Todd Halverson, her ex-husband Robert with whom she remained close, all of Marshalltown, step-grandchildren: Benjamin, Caitlin and Jacob, siblings: John Albert (Ester) Gardner Jr, Charles Ray Gardner, Richard Lee (Sheri) Gardner, Martha Ann (Keith) Mizell and Roger Eugene (Nancy) Gardner.Mary was preceded in death by her parents John and Mary Rose.