Doris May Halstenson, 90

Published 9:55 am Friday, July 24, 2015

Doris May Halstenson, 90, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, died Wednesday morning, July 22, 2015, at Prairie Manor Nursing Home in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota.

Halstenson

Halstenson

She was born Sept. 29, 1924, in Owatonna, Minnesota, to Edward Fitzgerald and Nina Mae (Annett) Gregor. Doris attended school in Owatonna, graduating from Owatonna High School in 1942. She continued her education with Nurses’ Training at St. Lucas Deaconess Hospital in Faribault, Minnesota. Doris met Henry “Hank” Charles Halstenson on a blind date and they were married on June 13, 1948, at the Associated Church in Owatonna. Doris was a nurse at the Owatonna Hospital, and then did the baking for her husband at his Cozy Inn Café for many years. She then returned to OB nursing at the Owatonna Hospital. When Prairie Manor Nursing Home opened, Doris accepted a nursing position and eventually became the director of nursing, retiring after many years. She was a member of First Lutheran Church, Eastern Star, Red Hat Society, Blooming Prairie Book Club and was a volunteer for the Steele County Historical Society. Doris also enjoyed reading, working on puzzles, playing the piano and organ, genealogy and watching her grand, great-grand and great-great-grandchildren grow up. Doris and Henry entered Prairie Manor Nursing Home in November of 2010 and Henry died there on Aug. 6, 2012.

Doris is survived by her children: Judy Bruggeman of Austin, Chuck (Cindy) Halstenson of New Brighton, Minnesota, and Jean (Rod) Robinson of Janesville, Minnesota; seven grandchildren: Shelly (Tony) Kinney, Matt Smith, Stacy Kaercher, Kristin (Delmar) Ehlers, Nick (Laurie) Smith, Adam (Amanda) Smith and Beth Halstenson; 15 great-grandchildren: Tylor Bruggeman, Noah Kinney, Tressie Kinney, Caitlin Kaercher, Ethan Ehlers, Lauren Kaercher, Thomas Smith, Kaya Smith, Gavin Smith, Zoe Ehlers, Henry Smith, Otto Henry Ehlers, Louis Ehlers, Hugo Ehlers, Peyton Smith; and one great-great granddaughter Brooklyn Bruggeman.

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She is preceded in death by her parents Edward and Nina Gregor; her husband Henry Charles Halstenson; her grandson Greg Halstenson; and her brother James Gregor.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 27, 2015, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie with Pastor Charlie Leonard officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in the Westfield Cemetery, Rural Blooming Prairie, Minnesota. Family prefers memorials to First Lutheran Church. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.