Connie Severson, age 82, of Canby, MN passed away Friday, January 7, 2022 at the Hendricks Nursing Home. Duane K. Severson, age 85, of Canby, MN passed away Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at the Sanford Canby Medical Center. Funeral services for Connie and Duane will be 10:30 am Saturday, January 22, 2022 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Canby, MN. Burial will be in the East Highland Lutheran Cemetery, rural Brandt, SD. Visitation will be 5 – 7 pm Friday, January 21st at the Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby, MN with will resume Saturday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Constance (Connie) Iris Powel son was born December 21, 1939 to Jeanne Thompson and Roy Dahl in Chicago, Illinois. In 1945 Jeanne married Virgil Powelson who later adopted Connie. Connie grew up on the family farm south of Marietta, Minnesota and attended country school, later graduating from Marietta High in 1959. Connie worked as a linotypist and reporter for the Madison Press; Madison, Minnesota until she married the love of her life, Duane Severson, on June 7th, 1959. Connie was a member of East Highland Lutheran church and Ladies Aide where she served in numerous roles. She was involved in Deuel County Extension Club and Birthday Club. Connie worked for the Clear Lake Courier, Canby News, Gary Interstate and Watertown Public Opinion selling ads, taking news and writing feature stories. She became certified through Palmer’s Writers School and wrote several short stories. Several years later, she worked as a home health aide out of Watertown and helped to implement the Alzheimer’s program. She attended Pipestone Vocational School and earned certification for CNA and TMA graduating at the top of her class. Connie worked at Sylvan Court at Sanford in Canby for six years. Connie had a love of learning and strove to help those who were underprivileged. She had tremendous strength, determi nation and perseverance, always encouraging those she loved to try new things, discover their individuality, and be the best they could be. Connie passed away Friday afternoon, January 7th, 2022 at Hendricks Nursing Home under Hospice Care after battling an interstitial lung disease (IPF) at the age of 82. Constance Iris Powelson and Duane Keith Severson were united in marriage on June 7th, 1959 at Garfield Lutheran church Marietta, Minnesota. They loved each other for 62 years, were best friends and made each other the best they could be. To this union they had four daughters: Laura (Kevin) Quail of White, SD; Ellen Kietzmann (Ken Balken) of Fremont, NE; Deborah Severson (Mike McCaughey) of Waconia, MN; Kristie (Brian) Thomas of Gary, SD; and foster son Chris (Bobbi Jo) Lahammer of Boone, Iowa. Connie and Duane spent the majority of their life on a small family farm southwest of Gary, South Dakota where they raised their family. They were very devoted to each other and family was everything to them. For 20 years, they were foster parents for numerous children and always worked as a team facing every challenge together.
Connie and Duane had a strong faith and made sure we went to church, were honest and hardworking and that there was nothing we couldn’t get through together. Their door was always open and the coffee pot was always on. Connie & Duane are survived by their daughters and foster son; Connie’s siblings Greg (Jill) Powelson and Judy Peters; Duane’s siblings Elroy and Paul (Norma) Severson; six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Connie & Duane are preceded in death by both sets of parents Jeanne & Virgil Powelson and Bernice & Palmer Severson; Connie’s brother Terry Powelson, sister-in-law Delores (Bren) Severson and infant baby Bradley Quail.
