"My condolences to you, Cory, on the loss of your mother. "
Deborah K Halbakken (Paskiewicz), 69 of Winona, passed away peacefully Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at Caledonia Rehab and Retirement, Caledonia, MN. She was born on July 7, 1951 in Winona to Benedict and Marjorie (Karsten) Paskiewicz. Deborah graduated from Cotter High School in 1969 and then later attended Okaloosa Walton Community College in Niceville, FL.
She worked in the records department at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN after high school and later in the Health Information Management at North Okaloosa Medical Center in Crestview, FL. Deborah also spent many hours volunteering at "Freedom Hotel" during Baby Lift, Clark AB, Philippines in 1975. She also volunteered in the Hospital Records Department, Clark AB, Philippines. Later she volunteered in the Health Information Management Office at George AFB, CA, and then at the information desk at Winona Health, Winona, MN.
Deborah married James Halbakken in 1970 and they had one son. They were later divorced.
She very much enjoyed genealogy and spent many long hours researching family histories.
Deborah is survived by her son, Cory Halbakken of Orlando, FL; sister, Geraldine Modjeski of Winona, MN; brother Gregory Paskiewicz of Winona, MN; nephew Steve (Ellen) Modjeski of LaCrosse, WI and niece Molly Modjeski of Winona, MN. She is also survived by cousins in the Winona area.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ben and Marge.
Hoff Celebration of Life Center, Goodview, is assisting the family.
"My condolences to you, Cory, on the loss of your mother. "
"I met Deb in high school, she was a good friend. We lost touch as we went our separate ways after school. May she rest in everlasting peace."
"To all of you, my heartfelt condolences. Deb & I began life as neighbors on East 7th. I spend many years playing in the wood piles in the back yard. Getting yelled at as we put coal on the railroad tracks to see if we could get diamonds after the weight of the train passed over. Ben came home, shall we say not happy. I was enthralled with the wood stove & soap making. We spend many hours at Gabrych Park. We were even allowed to walk to school when we were in kindergarten. Those were the days. Loved it when we were both back in town after we married. We were able to catch up. Those were the days. She\'ll always have a special place in my heart. "
"I am so sorry to Debbie?s family for their loss. Debbie was always fun to talk to when she would come and visit us at the Drive Inn. She will really be missed! Thanking of her family at this terrible time..."
"I met Deb when we moved from CA to MN. We lived in Winona for the summer before moving to Rochester. She would bring her brother to the park to swing and I had my brother at the park also. We had a fun summer going to the park during the day and the ballpark at night. She made the move from everything I knew in life to my new life Winona. I always appreciated her friendship and how comfortable she made me feel. She also taught me about life as a Catholic over the next few years which helped me when I became a Catholic when I married. What a wonderful person she was."
"I have known Deb since high school at Cotter. We were great friends for all these years. My fondest memory was the County Fair in St. Charles when we both worked for the County Extension Office and she met Jim there. We worked the entire fair days and he was there every day to see Deb. My deepest sympathy and thoughts and prayers to the entire family."
"Sedne and Jim Murray Peace, at last. Our condolences to all our cousins of the far-reaching Winona and LaCrosse Clan. So many stories, far to few visits, kindness at every turn...life\'s tragic ways and its joyous times...our hearts and prayers are for ALL of us, as we search for that \'place\' to keep this \'now\' fact. We\'ll miss Debbie\'s 4 to 6 week call and our \'touch\' back. But, we ALL have our memory. We DO hope yours is working better than ours does, on occasion. To Cory, we wish you peace in the knowledge that your Mother is in God\'s loving hands. To Jim, we wish you those memories that brought smiles to your faces and hearts. The rest of us will need our own time to find our needed place to keep Debbie. It will come. Gerry, thank you for being you. Freddie, ditto. Sheila, ditto. ALL of you, Clan, are special, and, missed. Pizza \'n an air conditioned theater...who knew! Chili dogs \'n fries w/root beer...oh, well,...o.k.! Billy, are you listening! For we to move ahead...full sails and God\'s speed. S&J P.S. St. Stans is AWESOME!"
"My dearest condolences on your loss of my dear friend and sister in law. She and I loved each other and I treasure all of our good times together, she was great to my children and I loved her humor and her laugh!! May the angels surround her and take her home. Stay strong Cory, she is with you always, you were her pride and brought her great joy! Love Mary (Halbakken) & Leon Bronk "
"So sorry for your loss. Prayers and hugs to all of you."
"Very sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers to the family."
"A Treasured Time For You & Me For under your wing we begun I can compare you to grandmas tight warm hugs You have embraced my life with laughter, an listening ear, Sharing memories, thoughts of wisdom on how to grow as an adult, Spoiling me with Grandma Coles fudge, we loved your fudge, and also Checking out your shoe collection. Your compassion for my family Was amazingly wonderful, sharing your home with us and our time with your Dog tazzy. We talked about real-life issues and your home was a comfortable setting. We shared our love for cardinals and bird watching. Family is dear to us both. So grateful for you, Aunt Deb in our lives. We love you dearly Love Tim, Diane,Averi Spalding & Family For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:34"
"Gerry, I am so sorry for the loss of your sister, your family is my thoughts and prayers."