Mary F. Halsted, 79, of Rudd, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 am Monday, January 22, 2024 at Epiphany Parish – Holy Family Catholic Church, 722 N. Adams Ave, Mason City with Rev. Neil Manternach as Celebrant. Burial will be held in the Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, Iowa.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:00pm Sunday, January 21, 2024 with Rosary and Scriptural Wake Service to begin at 4:30 pm at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel,126 3rd St NE Mason City, Iowa.
Mary was born on June 26, 1944 the daughter of Leonard and Margaret (Miller) Duffy of Oelwein. She was a graduate of Sacred Heart Catholic School Class of 1963. Following high school she attended Mount Mercy and later married Douglas Halsted on June 19, 1965. Together they were blessed with five children.
Mary played a pivotal role in the success of Hoover’s Hatchery in Rudd, Iowa, serving in various roles over the course of 50 years and eventually becoming the CEO and owner along with her husband Doug. In 2018 she was inducted as a Lifetime Member of the Poultry Association. She was a servant leader long before that term was used. She has lovingly occupied the corner office at Hoover’s Hatchery through the date of her passing.
Besides being a successful business owner, she was a supportive wife, mother and grandmother. Her greatest joy was her family. Her favorite activity was attending all of their events. Amongst being her grandchildren’s number one fan she was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Minnesota Twins, and Chicago Bears. Between working, canning (everyone’s favorite pickles and tomato juice) and cooking, she still had time to plant beautiful flowers every spring. Mary’s family will miss her presence. She was tiny but mighty and a friend to all. She was a “Granny” to many and affectionately referred to as “Hooter” to those who loved her.
Those left to cherish memories of Mary are her children, Lisa (Jerry) Paulus, Tony (Lisa) Halsted, Gina (Mike) Taylor, Nicole (Matthew) Nash, and Sara (Eli) Macias; grandchildren, Jordan (Stacey) Paulus, Evan (Emma Anderegg) Paulus, Katelyn (Jennifer) Lewis, Alex Halsted, Paige (Erick) Healy, Douglas Taylor, Miles Nash, Mairenn Nash, Ireland Manning, Teague (Maddy) Manning, Maddox Macias, and Lyric Macias, siblings, Julie (Denny) O’Hara, John Duffy, and Becky (Dennis) Hamann; sister-in-law, Priscilla Thornton; her furry goldendoodle, Snickers; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband Douglas Halsted; her parents, Leonard and Margaret Duffy; parents-in-law, Walter and June Halsted; sister-in-law, Paula Duffy.
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