Memorial
Patricia L. Hallberg, 84, of Hiawatha, died Thursday evening, May 7, 2015, surrounded by family at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa. According to Patricia’s wishes, a private family service will be held with inurnment at Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery in Maple Plain, Minnesota.
Patricia was born on October 28, 1930 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was the third child, and only daughter of Roy and Doris (Liljegren) Turnquist. She grew up surrounded by a houseful of brothers and would often spend her childhood Saturdays helping out at her father’s grocery store, earning enough money to enjoy a matinee movie later in the day. She graduated from Roosevelt Senior High School in Minneapolis in 1948.
Shortly after graduation, Patricia met her future husband, Carl E.A. Hallberg, and they were united in marriage on June 9, 1950 at Mt. Olivet Church in Minneapolis. She spent the early years of her marriage working in the advertising department at Dayton’s department store, soon followed by a brief move to Rochester, Minnesota with Carl, and finally, settling in Cedar Rapids.
After moving to Cedar Rapids in 1959, Patricia dedicated her time to raising her children, as well as assisting Carl for many years in their insurance business, the Hallberg Agency.
Patricia was a member of the El Kahir Shrine Auxiliary, Daughters of the Nile and a former member of Order of the Eastern Star. She volunteered many hours at the Scottish Rite Temple, assisting in planning and preparing activities for members and the public.
Patricia cherished her family and friends. She enjoyed a good cup of coffee and conversation to go with it. She was a giving and unselfish person with a great sense of humor. She will be greatly missed and remembered for enriching the lives of everyone who came to know her.
She is survived by her husband, Carl; her son, Steven Hallberg and wife Karen of Ames; her daughter, Cindy Lauer and husband Tom of Coralville; her grandchildren, Stephanie Hallberg, Justin Hallberg, Christopher Lauer and Kate Lauer; her brother-in-law, Albert Merz of Atlanta, Georgia; and sister-in-law, Joanne Turnquist of Santa Cruz, California. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Wayne, Jerry, and Richard Turnquist; and sister-in-laws Audrey Houston, Valaire Merz, and Ardy Turnquist.
Memorial donations in Patricia’s honor may be directed to: Mission of Hope (Cedar Rapids), Twin Cities Shriners Hospitals for Children, El Kahir Shrine Women’s Auxiliary, El Kahir Shrine Transportation Fund, or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staffs of the Mary Greeley 5A Oncology Unit, Acute Rehabilitation Department, Dr. Merchant, Dr. Christenson, and Dr. Arbulu for their tremendous care & loving support to Patricia and her family.