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From afros to inverted bobs, Halverson stays current for 40 years

Lead Summary
By
Lori Sorenson

When hair stylist Deb Halverson started her career in 1975, afros were trending.
“I remember my friends and I putting perm rods in our hair to get that afro look,” Halverson said, rolling her eyes. “Now smooth, sleek hair is in.”
In the 40 years since graduating from Stewart’s school of cosmetology, she said keeping up with hair fashion is one of the challenges she’s enjoyed about the job.
“Going to classes keeps me motivated and keeps me current,” Halverson said, adding that she’s found that many new ideas stem from classic styles from the past.
“Today we’re seeing variations of the bob, and inversions of the bob,” she said.
Her interest in salon work dates back to her teen years in rural Kenneth when her sister, Donna, attended Stewart’s.
“I’m a creative person, so I just love the job,” Halverson said.
Her colleagues at Salon 75 are throwing an open house party this weekend to celebrate her landmark anniversary.
Among the guests will likely be some of Halverson’s longtime, loyal clients.
“About 80 to 85 percent of my clients are re-books,” she admits. “It’s tough for someone new to get an appointment.”
The result after four decades is that Halverson is now on her fourth generation of clients within families she’s come to know.
For example, she recently cut 3-year-old Grady DeBoer’s hair. His mother, Rebecca DeBoer, and grandmother, Carol Goehle, are also Halverson’s loyal clients, as was the late Hildegard Goehle, Grady’s great-grandmother.
“They just bring you into their families,” Halverson said. “That’s why I love a small town; in Sioux Falls they came and went and you might never hear from them again.”
While sitting in the salon chair, her clients have shared details of their personal life ranging from the joys of raising children and landmark celebrations to the sorrows of illness and loss.
“I’m a good listener,” Halverson said. “It’s a fun job.”
Knowing her clients’ personalities allows her to help them make decisions about their appearance.
“If there’s a special occasion coming up, I say, ‘What can I do to make your hair look special?’” Halverson said. “I get to be part of these happy times.”
And sometimes she’s called on to do the hair of a loved one who has died (for funeral viewing), and she’s helped many clients through hair loss and regrowth as a result of cancer treatment.
No one knows these relationships better than Salon 75 owner and stylist Faye Bremer, who has 38 years of experience in the field.
She recalls the late 1970s when she and Halverson both worked for Ray Hoogeveen when he owned “House of Hair Fashion,” on West Main Street (next to the current W-2 Quality Meats).
As the two women styled hair in different locations in Luverne and grew their clientele, they found themselves together for more than 30 of the past 40 years.
“Deb and I have worked together so long we can read each other's minds,” Bremer said.
“We have seen many, many changes over the years and how technology has even evolved in our field.”
She said bright hair colors, for example, are trending now.
“I give Deb credit for never being afraid to try new things,” Bremer said. “She's never quit learning in 40 years and new styles and trends will always be down the road.”
Halverson said she’s grateful for Saturday’s party, but she doesn’t want anyone confusing the event for a retirement celebration.
“I’m not retiring,” she said. “I love what I do, and I’m going to be doing this for a long time yet.”
Customers and community members are invited to an open house from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17.

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