Harold C. Halvorson

Harold C. Halvorson, 86, of Devils Lake, formerly of Leeds, ND passed away July 24, 2015 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at 1pm at Christ Free Lutheran Church, Devils Lake, ND with Reverend Gary Fulsebakke officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday from 5pm until 7pm with a Prayer Service and Time of Remembrance at 7pm. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Harold was the first son born to George and Olga (Ericksmoen) Halvorson on the family farm in Benson County, ND on April 11, 1929. He had five brothers. Harold worked for a short time on a neighboring farm and then joined the North Dakota Army National Guard serving with the 164th Infantry Regiment. He was called to active duty during the Korean War and was a Demolition and Calisthenics Instructor. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Harold met his future beloved wife, Ruby Johnson, at a local Thanksgiving Day dance and they married on June 29, 1956 in Harlow, ND. In the early years of their marriage they lived in Butte, MT where they started their family. They returned to North Dakota and made Churchs Ferry their home for many years. Harold worked at the GTA Elevator and then for Burlington Northern Railroad for over 10 years, retiring in the early 1980’s. In 1978 they moved to Minnewaukan, in the late 1990’s they moved to Leeds, and for the past two years have made their home near Devils Lake. Harold loved his family; he enjoyed old cars, trucks and tractors. He could get any old engine to run, sometimes having to make his own “gadget” as he would call it. When it came to visiting, he was one of the best; it didn’t matter where he ran into someone he knew (or didn’t know) he would start up a conversation. He enjoyed a good game of cards, especially Pinochle. The grandsons (or any family member for that matter) made his day when they would stop by for a “quick” game. Harold is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ruby; children: Marlys (Greg) Bauer, Park River, ND; Mark (Jane) Halvorson, Cape Haze, FL; Michael (Tabitha) Halvorson, Cando, ND; Marilyn (John) Sogge, Myron (Jennifer) Halvorson, and Melissa (Jeff) Stotts, all of Devils Lake; 15 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; brothers: Arland, Devils Lake; Gerald, MN; Richard and Sharon, TX; Larry and Betty, CA; and a sister-in-law: Irene Rzechula, IL; and several nieces, nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Darwin, father & mother-in-law, and many brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-laws. Serving as Pallbearers for Harold will be his grandsons Joshua Bauer, Anthony Sogge, Brett Halvorson, Andrew Sogge, Benjiman Halvorson and Eric Halvorson and life-long friend Victor Anderson. Honorary Bearers will granddaughters: Jennifer (Bauer) Tillman, Jamie Bauer, Brittany (Sogge) Thompson and Emily Halvorson; grandsons: Quincy & Ian Stotts, Preston & Christian Halvorson, and Nathan Halvorson. The family would like to thank everyone for the kind words; your thoughts and prayers are much appreciated