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A tribute to a friend

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Family members, staff and Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance ambassadors prepare to cut the ribbon for Halverson Hall at Marian Home as some of the residents watch. The multipurpose room is named after former Executive Director Eric Halverson who died on July 26 from colon cancer.

Each entrance to the large, well lit multi-use room at the Marian Home has a small sign by it that’s freshly installed.

Each one reads simply, “Halverson Hall.”

On Thursday afternoon, the full name behind those signs, former Executive Director Eric Halverson, who died from colon cancer on July 26, was recognized by his staff, family, residents, the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Ambassadors and a mayoral proclamation.

Halverson was deeply loved and respected.

Current Executive Director Tracy Trotter was among those who shared their memories.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
A portrait of former Marian Home Executive Director Eric Halverson by Fort Dodge artist Jennifer Dutcher was on display at the ribbon cutting to name a multipurpose room there Halverson Hall.

“Eric worked at what he loved and worked hard at it every day,” she said. “He was serious in all he did, making sure to give 110 percent, but we also remember him throwing a lot of fun and pranks into our day-to-day schedules.”

That including finding their desks “reorganized” along with certain “additions” to their work areas that they had not requested.

“Green Bay Packer or University of Iowa items,” she said, smiling. “The latter is one of the very few areas we disagreed on.”

She said that Halverson had helped to prepare the staff for his passing.

“We are still finding notes he had prepared for us to find,” she said. “A password that we need will suddenly pop up just when we need it.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Marian Home residents and guests enjoy refreshments Thursday afternoon in Halverson Hall following a ribbon cutting ceremony to honor their late Executive Director Eric Halverson.

“He,” she said, “in his unselfishness was helping us go on without him.”

She also said that the staff had been very supporting after he was diagnosed and became ill.

“The staff here went into protection mode for him,” she said.

That included fundraising, getting flu shots, extra treats, sharing photos and lots of encouraging words.

“You will not find a more selfless group than the staff here at Marian,” Trotter said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Signs at both entrances to Halverson Hall welcome visitors who will be using the large room at Marian Home.

His family, wife Angie and daughters Madysen and Mackenzie, were his highest priority, Trotter said.

“We want you three to know we are here for you always to help in any way we can,” she said. “We will keep his memory alive here with the renaming of this town hall to Halverson Hall.”

Fort Dodge Mayor Matt Bemrich read from a proclamation.

“He was a leader and cared deeply for all the employees,” Bemrich said. “I hereby proclaim Nov. 21, 2019, as Eric Halverson Recognition Day. I hope he would be proud.”

Craig Barber spoke on behalf of the Growth Alliance Ambassadors.

“All of us that now are here are better for time we had with him,” Barber said.

After the ribbon was cut, officially making the town hall the Halverson Hall, guests explored the room.

Trotter said that it’s used daily for resident activities. It’s also used to host resident gatherings with their families and special events such as visiting bands, bingo and cards.

Halverson served as executive director from Dec. 10, 2010, until his death.

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