Garner “Gunner” Henry Halvorson, age 84, of Hudson WI, died on Monday morning, November 1, 2010 at his home.
He was born the son of Henry O. and Arley (Pearson) Halvorson on June 13, 1926, in Madison, Minnesota. Garner served two years in the U.S. Army Air Force, from 1944 to 1946. He graduated from Yankton College in South Dakota with a degree in Math and Economics. For two years, he taught math and coached football, basketball and baseball at the high school in New Underwood, South Dakota. In 1952, he began his 48 year career as Salesman and General Manager with Monarch Life Insurance Company.
Garner and his family lived in Hudson since 1965. He loved his family above all, followed by his passion for golf. He was an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church, President of the Hudson Country Club, a 32 Degree Mason with the St. Paul Valley Scottish Rite and an active Shriner.
He was married to Sally Anne (Peace) in 1950, at Garner’s parent’s home in Madison, Minnesota and beloved by Sally, his children Patricia (John) Thompson of Miami, FL, Brad (Callie) Halvorson of Woodbury, MN, Pamela (Dan) Murphy of Olathe, KS, and Dan Halvorson of Hudson; and his six grandchildren, Melissa and Ryan Murphy, Hannah and Henry Halvorson, John Thompson, and Olivia Halvorson.
Garner was one of nine children, and is survived by his sisters Marge Schep and Beverly Hildreth and his brother Brad Halvorson, and numerous nieces and nephews who cherish fond memories of Thanksgiving at their Uncle Gunner’s. He is predeceased by his brothers Henry and Gerry Halvorson, his sisters, Elaine Hearnen, June Lund, and Yvonne Ourada, and too many dear nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held for Garner at 1p.m. Friday, November 5th at First Presbyterian Church, 1901 Vine St., Hudson. Internment and military grave site rites will follow at Willow River Cemetery in Hudson. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church on Friday, as well as from 4-7p.m. on Thursday, November 4th, with a Masonic ceremony taking place at 7 p.m. all at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, Hudson.
Memorials may be made in his name to Shriners Hospitals for Children and/or for any cancer research. Services are in the care of the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, Hudson, Wisconsin.