Geraldine Halbur

Geraldine Mary (Pierret) Halbur passed away on March 12, leaving behind a legacy of wisdom, unconditional love, and frank opinions that her family will miss deeply. Born on August 18, 1935, as the eldest daughter of Paul Carl and Mildred (Dubbelde) Pierret, she helped raise her 13 siblings before going on to raise eight children of her own with the guiding principle that their happiness mattered most. She cherished her 20 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren, offering them the same steady guidance and affection that defined her life.

She married the love of her life, Ralph Theodore Halbur, on February 13, 1956, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper, Minnesota. Their relationship began on Easter Sunday night in 1955 at the Hollyhock Ballroom in Hatfield, where Geraldine, wearing a blue skirt, danced with Ralph to “The Blue Skirt Waltz,” a song that remained their favorite. Together they built a farm and a family rooted in faith and partnership. Ralph managed the farm with her input, while Geraldine tended to the household, including a large garden that produced the fresh fruits and vegetables she loved, especially perfectly ripe tomatoes, strawberries, watermelon, and sweet corn.

A gifted seamstress who graduated from Pipestone High School in 1953, Geraldine found joy in home economics and used her skills to create clothing for her siblings, children, and grandchildren, including wedding gowns, prom dresses, baptismal garments, Halloween costumes, and even practical items like bike seat covers and portable high chairs. Her Catholic faith remained a constant source of comfort and quiet humor throughout her life. A longtime member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Pipestone, she sewed altar cloths, taught Sunday school, tied countless rosaries, and made hundreds of quilts for veterans and children, always preferring to serve without seeking recognition.

Geraldine accepted people as they were and placed family above all else, working with her brother Jim and daughter Carol to preserve their family history. She enjoyed writing letters, following the Minnesota Twins, and sharing newspaper articles with her loved ones. Though she is no longer physically present, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren know she continues to watch over them with love, reminding them to keep their hair out of their eyes, wear proper footwear in cold weather, and care for one another as deeply as she cared for them.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Mildred Pierret; siblings James, Robert, MaryAnn Halbur, and Paul Junior; sister-in-law Louise Pierret; brother-in-law Marvin Halbur; granddaughter Cara Halbur; and great-grandson Lukas Vogt. She is survived by her husband, Ralph Halbur; children Diane McCarron, Eugene (Linda) Halbur, Thomas (Anna) Halbur, Carol, John (Linda) Halbur, Gary (Jean) Halbur, Linda (Robb) Hoiseth, and Alan (Karrie) Halbur; and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.