Obit: Halverson, Karen L (1942 – 2009)

Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Halverson, Pavek, Gibbons, Haworth, Jurgella

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) October 21, 2009

Halverson, Karen L (5 October 1942 – 24 September 2009)

Karen L. Halverson, 66, of Rio Rico, AZ, and formerly of Hatfield, passed away Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Karen was born Oct. 5, 1942, to Lyle and Dorothy Pavek of Whitehall.  She attended elementary and high school in Whitehall, where she graduated in 1960.  She then attended the University of “Wisconsin-Eau Claire, graduating in 1964 with a degree in psychology.

She married Gerald Halverson of Taylor June 1, 1964, and the couple moved to Hatfield, where they lived for the next 20 years.  While living in Hatfield, Karen was employed by the counties of Jackson and Clark as a social worker.  She always enjoyed making a difference and being able to help people.  Karen and Jerry moved to Rio Rico, AZ, in 1984 and later divorced.

In 1986, Karen became the administrator of the Southeast Arizona Health Education Center (SEAHEC).  She loved her job with SEAHEC, and for the next 20 years she was very successful in forging community partnerships that addressed various health issues across Arizona such as diabetes, asthma, obesity, lead poisoning and healthcare provider shortages.  In addition to being a great leader, she was a great mentor to those considering healthcare professions.

In 2006, she married Mario Gibbons, a man with whom she enjoyed the last 20 years of her life.  Karen will be greatly missed by her family and by her many friends and co-workers.

Survivors include her husband, Mario Gibbons of Rio Rico, AZ; two sons, Christopher (Kirsten) Halverson of Poynette and Matthew Halverson of Scottsdale, AZ; three step-sons, Marco Gibbons and Marlon Gibbons of Phoenix, AZ, and Oscar Gibbons of Nogales, Mexico; two brothers, Ron (Patty) Pavek of Onalaska and Greg (Jackie) Pavek of Eau Claire; three grandchildren, Alayna, William and Olivia Halverson; two nieces, Nikki (David) Haworth and Sara (Neil) Jurgella; two nephews, Josh Pavek and Chad Pavek; a great-niece, Avery Haworth, and a great nephew, Jack Jurgella; besides many other relatives and friends.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Lyle and Dorothy Pavek of Whitehall.

Family and friends are invited to a time of remembrance for Karen L. Halverson from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, Hixton.

The family requests memorials to be directed to the American Cancer Society in Karen’s memory.