Obituary of Galen Severson

Galen Landro Severson walked away from cancer and into the loving arms of Jesus on May 10, 2025 at the age of 84. He was prayed into Heaven with his family by his side. Galen was a  beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, treasured friend, and brother-in-Christ.

Galen was a life-long resident of Minneapolis and Bloomington, Minnesota, and he’s now a citizen of Heaven. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 26, 1940 to Alfred Gerhard Severson and Esther Olga (Landro) Severson. Galen earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. His passion was leading people, and he did that successfully for 40+ years as an insurance executive in and around the Twin Cities.

Grace Church in Eden Prairie was Galen’s church home and where he was baptized in 2014. His love and knowledge of God’s Word were deep and drove his life’s decisions. Galen’s greatest passion following retirement was researching answers to scripture questions from anyone who asked. He loved the men in his Bible studies and looked forward to every moment he had to chat, pray, and humbly learn with them. Throughout his life he enjoyed traveling, going to movies, walking around Lake Harriet, seeing plays, listening to music, dancing, reading, playing cribbage, and connecting deeply with his family and friends. 

Going before Galen were his parents, two sisters Phyllis (Bill), and Ardith (Arlo), and one brother Dennis (Pat). 

He is survived by his loving wife Mary Jo (Hanni) who he cherished for 30 years; and three children, Brent (Lisa) of South Carolina, Kristin (Dave) of Texas, Nick of Minnesota; his two grandsons Geoffrey of Minnesota and Adam (Maya) of Texas; and his brother Roger (Beverly) of Minnesota. He is also survived by dear friends, relatives, and the Hanni family who loved him without hesitation or reservation and respected his sage advice with open arms.

Services for Galen on June 6, 2025 are in the Grace Church chapel in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. (Please enter the church at door two.) Visitation begins at 10:00 AM, his Celebration of Life is at 11:00 AM, and lunch follows at 12:00. A private interment will take place at a later date at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Grace Church in Eden Prairie. https://grace.church/