Toni Halverson, 70, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 10th after a 12-year battle with cancer. Antoinette Ione (Anderson) Halverson was born on September 24, 1942 to Robert and Pearl (Nord) Anderson, in Hudson, WI. She grew up in Hudson and graduated from Hudson High School. On October 15, 1960 she was united in marriage to Joseph Halverson, a marriage that spanned 50 years, and they were blessed with two children: Vicki and David.
Growing up, she enjoyed boating on the St. Croix River with her family and spending time at her grandparents’ farm on the Willow River. She had many fond memories with life-time friends and her many cousins. Farming was in her blood and she and Joe raised everything from horses and Black Angus cattle to chickens, sheep and ostriches. Wherever they lived, they had a massive vegetable garden and beautiful flower beds and there was always a dog and cat or two running around.
Toni retired from the Hudson post office as a rural letter carrier. If you lived in the Hudson Township, she was probably your ‘mail lady’ at one time or another. She was a hard worker and loved to be outdoors. There were many camping trips and lots of fishing both on local lakes and in Canada. She and Joe loved to spend time on Lake Superior having two different cabins there for a number of years. She also enjoyed travel to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska, and special trips to Vegas, Florida, and Arizona. She was always in awe of everywhere she visited.
But she ultimately loved to be home because she longed to be near family and friends. Her wide circle of “close friends” also included her siblings, cousins and kids. Everyone who knew her loved her. She had a quick wit, a terrific sense of humor, and an optimistic nature. She loved life and was up for anything.
She was very brave dealing with her cancer and was grateful for each day; she accepted her fate with grace. She always said everything she went through was worth it because of the time it gave her with her family and friends (and cat, Fluffy).
It should be noted that she was impressed and forever thankful for the care she received from her favorite surgeon, Dr. Cassivi and her oncologist, Dr. Dronca at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
Toni is survived by her loving children Vicki (John) Kolasa and David Halverson, two sweet grandaughters: Amanda (Kyle) Heath and Jacilyn Kolasa, two great-grandaughters: twins Allison and Ava Heath. Sisters: Naomi (Ron) Willie, Cheryl (Jim) McGlade, brother: Scott (Kathy) Anderson, and many loved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Joe.
A memorial celebration of Toni’s life will be held at 6pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at Faith Community Church in Hudson, WI. Visitation will be held from 4pm until time of service. Services are in the care of the O’Connell Family Funeral Home – Hudson Chapel. 715.386.3725