Ed Halvorson

Thue Funeral Service will be live-streamed at facebook.com/

Edward Halvorson

June 20, 1936 - September 23, 2024

Funeral Services for Ed will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Visitation will be at the church 2 hours prior to the funeral service. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery with Military Honors. 

Edward Selmer Halvorson, 88, peacefully passed from his earthly life on September 23, 2024, surrounded by his “5 L’s” and in laws at his daughters home in New Port Richey, FL.

Edward was born to Selmer and Eveline Halvorson on June 20, 1936, in Crosby, ND. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church. Upon graduating from Crosby High School in 1954, he went to Bottineau State School of Forestry on a football scholarship. After one quarter, he enlisted in the Army in January 1955. He was honorably discharged in 1958 and worked construction until the fall when he enrolled in Minot State College graduating with his bachelors degree in 1961 with a degree in math and a minor in science. He taught for 2 years in Kramer, ND and 2 years in Souris, ND before receiving a National Science Foundation Scholarship to attend UND. He left UND in 1966 to begin his teaching career in Devils Lake earning his Master’s Degree in Chemistry and biology from University of North Dakota 1967. 

While in Minot in 1959, Ed met Agnes Dosch, the love of his life, at a dance at the Club 52. Ed and Agnes were married August 13, 1960 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Karlsruhe, ND. They began their life together in Minot. They moved to Kramer, then Souris, then to Grand Forks with Linda and Lance. Louise was added to their family in Grand Forks. In the fall of 1966, they moved to Devils Lake, where they would stay for the duration of Ed’s career. Lisa and Lloyd were born in Devils Lake in 1967 and 1968.

Ed began in Devils Lake teaching 9th grade science and moved into the math department teaching Senior Math for Daily Living, Algebra II, Calculus and Trigonometry, retiring in 1990. Raising five kids, Ed often had a second job and was fortunate when he started his job as a crop adjuster. He loved working for Rain and Hail continuing to the age of 77. He met so many lifelong friends in this field of work and spent extra quality time with his wife, Agnes, as she would ride along many times putting thousands of miles on over the years. 

Ed served in many organizations in his life, serving his community well. He held many leadership positions including President of the North Dakota Teachers of Mathematics, was head of the science department, served on writing curriculums for the State of North Dakota for 9th grade science, Algebra II and Trigonometry, was a member of the North Central School Evaluators visiting schools during the accreditation process. He was instrumental in bringing the first computers into Devils Lake Public schools. Ed served as Post Commander of the American Legion, member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and was a life member of the Devils Lake Elks Lodge, member of Forty and Eight and received many awards and recognitions in different organizations. He was most proud of his commitment to family, nature, wildlife and helping others. He served as a father figure and mentor to many and cherished that role. It was not uncommon to have his students at the kitchen table in the evenings getting a little extra help. 

In his first summer in Devils Lake, he supervised the Youth Conservation Corps construction of the first set of steps leading to the top of Sully’s Hill National Game Preserve. Ed was all about teaching youth, not only in school, but in life skills. In 1983, Ed bought a plot of land on the east shore of Six Mile Bay. He taught his sons construction skills in building a hunting garage on that sight. This building and land underwent many transformations over the years, eventually becoming Lloyd’s permanent home, with an apartment for Dad. Lloyd and Lance can build anything because their dad took the time to teach them.

Annual hunting and fishing outings with family and friends were so special to him especially hunting with his sons and grandsons. Hunting and fishing were not only hobbies, but necessary in providing food for his family.

Ed had a great memory for people, and even at the age of 88 remembered students from long ago, details about them and their families. He thoroughly enjoyed running into former students or farm clients while home in the summer. He had an infectious laugh and smile that put a smile on anyone that could hear or see it. He often said that he hit the jackpot with his great sons-in-laws and daughters-in-laws. We as children can’t agree more as we are so very lucky to have the love shown to our father from our spouses. 

Ed and Agnes enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge. Ed continued to play bridge on Thursdays in Devils Lake playing his last hand in August. Ed and Agnes taught their children many card games, and often hosted friends for game nights and for many years hosted wild game and fish fries. Ed and Agnes had a love for dance and were admired on the dance floor as the smoothest dancers out there! They didn’t miss a week of dancing at the American Legion following their favorite bands! 

In retirement, Ed and Agnes became snowbirds and found a wonderful community in Colony Cove, New Port Richey, FL. Colony Cove offered them many friends and activities. They were instrumental in organizing events with the Social Club and Ed enjoyed being part of the Marine and Reel Club helping with the weekly projects to keep the park clean and looking good. 

They returned to North Dakota for the summers and soaked in quality time with their children and grandchildren. He was an avid Twins fan and was fortunate enough to go on annual “Twins trips” to Target Field with his son, Lloyd and grandson Spencer with the last trip being just this August. 

Ed will be dearly missed by all who loved him. He is survived by his children Linda (Jerome) Mattern, New Port Richey, FL, Lance (Fran) Halvorson, Beaufort, SC, Louise (Richard) Prozinski, Devils Lake, ND, Lisa (Tom) Meyer, Lynd, MN, Lloyd (Cindy) Halvorson, Devils Lake, ND. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Heather (Jeff) Rotar (Mathia (Matt), Noah) Paul (Carrie) Mattern (Claire, Leo, Pearl, Isla), Heidi Sullivan (Chloe, Collin, Cailee), Michael Mattern, Jessica Minchell (Autumn ,Rayne, Winter), Robert Guernsey, Nathan Guernsey, Amber (Jose) Avila (Dakota, Preston, Dominique, Eli, Steven) Sheila (Kenny) Seramak (Donavan, Marshall, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Joanna), Bethany (Brady) Homan (Brynlee, Brooklyn, Bryson, Briggs) Kristen (Marshall) Hintze (Collyns, Hawkins), Tyler Prozinski, Matison (Austin) Thoreson (Tate), Emma Meyer, Holly (Maxx) Louwagie (Maya, Madison), Rachel Meyer, Nolan Meyer, Adam Meyer, Spencer (Stephanie) Halvorson (Grace, Owen), Kaitlyn (Joshua) Peterson, Devyn Halvorson. Special friend Catharina Menge. Those he loved as his own: Valerie (Christopher) Holm (Matthew), Tina (Bill) Pierce (Justin, Mitchel, Liam, Isaac), Melanie (Aaron) Vining (Brodie, Riley), Dr. David Burt. Brothers-in-laws Henry (Janice) Dosch, Fairbanks, AK, Leonard (Shirley) Dosch, Minot, ND, John Klein (Tacoma, WA). Many nieces and nephews.

Edward was preceded in death by his wife Agnes, parents Selmer and Eveline Halvorson, Sisters: Mable and Bud Wallin, Shirley and George Erickson, Doris and Walt Trengen, brother-in-law Kenneth Triplett, and Anita Kimball, sisters and brothers in law: Marge (Hilary) Koreis, Geneveieve Klein, Albert (Joyce) Dosch, Wendeline (Elaine) Dosch.