Barbara Halverson

Barbara Halverson

Barbara Halverson died March 2, 2013 at home in Renton, Washington. She was 91 years old. An avid reader, traveler, volunteer and watercolor artist, Barbara lived life to the fullest. Born November 17, 1921 in Big Bay, Michigan, the first child of Rhea and Howell Deaver. Barbara was soon followed by her sister, Betty. In 1933, due to black lung, Mr. Deaver quit coal mining and moved the family from Colorado to Anchorage, Alaska. In 1939, Barbara graduated Salutatorian from Anchorage High School. However, even with a scholarship to the University of Alaska, her family could not afford the room and board, so she went to work for National Bank of Alaska. In 1941, she married Vance A. Halverson (d. 1982) and they started Spenard Service Station, which they operated for many years. By 1951, they had added four children to their family.In 1971, she earned her A.A. degree from Anchorage Community College and, much to her family’s pride, passed her CPA exam on the first try. A few years later, Barbara moved to Portland, Oregon and completed her Bachelor’s in Accounting, graduating Magna Cum Laude, from Portland State University. In 1991, she moved to Renton, Washington to be near her family. Barbara had many interests and hobbies: she loved watercolors, gifting her loved ones with original artwork on birthdays and holidays; she was an avid traveler, visiting Europe, South America, Japan, and traveling all over Canada and the United States; and she was active all her life, especially enjoying hiking and cross country skiing. She loved to keep her mind active with reading, foreign language classes and travel. Barbara was an incredibly generous and inspirational mother and grandmother. She will be dearly missed. She is survived by her children, Eileen Halverson of Greenwater, WA, Connie Halverson Osbon of Portland, OR, Kay Donald (Bill) of Renton, WA., and Clarke Halverson of Renton, WA; grandchildren, Allison Donald, Mary Donald and John Donald of Renton, WA, and Janine Donald of Salt Lake City, UT; and two great-grandchildren, Rio and Riley Donald. She was predeceased by her grandson, Todd Osbon, in 1986. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 13, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 2:00 P.M., 99 Wells Ave S., Renton. Memorials are suggested to the Salvation Army, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church or Mazamas Mountain Climbing Club of Portland, OR.

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