Mae L. Halling

Mae Louise Halling was born to Cornelius and Carrie (Runge) Plasmier on January 20, 1920 in Kimball, South Dakota. She spent most of her childhood on a farm near there. Mae was baptized and confirmed in Kimball at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church. For a short time, she and her family moved to the state of Washington where her grandfather lived and, later, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where several aunts and uncles resided, returning to the Kimball area. After moving to Minnesota in 1937, Mae graduated from Tyler High School, Tyler, Minnesota, in 1938. She then became employed by W.P. Stork Produce Company.

On September 12, 1940, Mae was united in marriage to Floyd Halling at St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler. The couple first made their home with Floyd’s parents’ on a farm near Arco, Minnesota. In 1941, they took over the farming operation and later purchased the farm. In addition to raising their eight children, Mae began a laying hen operation on the farm. She would continue to grow this endeavor to over 20,000 chickens. Floyd preceded her in death on October 13, 1981. Mae continued to live and work on the farm and never formally retired. On Sunday, May 1, 2016 Mae passed away suddenly at her home at the age of 96 years, three months and 12 days.

Mae was a member of the Arco Homemakers’ Club and an active member of St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler where she belonged to Circle. Her religion and faith were very important to her throughout her life. She also valued education highly and supported and encouraged her children. Mae was a gifted quilter and enjoyed traveling domestically and abroad, reading, completing Sudoku puzzles, observing nature and playing cards, especially pinochle. She hosted the family holiday gatherings. Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchild were a source of joy.

Mae is lovingly remembered by her seven children, Eunice Herrick of Lynd, Minnesota, Dennis (Carol) Halling of Arco, Minnesota, Shirley Halling of Ames, Iowa, Beverly Appel of Tyler, Minnesota, Jude (Vince) Lindgren of Fargo, North Dakota, Jane DeVos of Owatonna, Minnesota, and Lori (John) Halling-Kruk of Maple Grove, Minnesota; 11 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; several cousins, nieces and nephews; and special neighbors, Darlene and Larry Mortland of Arco. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Irene Plasmier, husband, Floyd; son, Robert; great-grandson, Cory Gladis; and son-in-law, Duane Herrick.