HALVORSON, Elizabeth (Bette) Sophia 1921-2000

HALVORSON, PAULUS, RASMUSSEN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 9/19/2009 at 13:09:27

ELIZABETH (BETTE) SOPHIA HALVORSON

ST. ANSGAR, IOWA - Elizabeth (Bette) Sophia Halvorson, 79, died Thursday (Oct. 12, 2000) at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center, Osage.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the St. Ansgar United Methodist Church in St. Ansgar with the Rev. Ted Stowers and the Rev. Bruce Wittern officiating.

There will be no visitation. Schroeder and Sites Funeral Home, 207 S. School St., St. Ansgar, is in charge of arrangements.

Elizabeth (Bette) Sophia Halvorson was born Feb. 20, 1921, at Marshfield, Wis., the daughter of Julius and Agnes Margaret (Paulus) Rasmussen. Having been baptized as an infant, she was confirmed in the Methodist Church, Lewis, Wis., March 27, 1932, by her uncle, the Rev.
Barton Padon. At an early age, Bette made her home with this aunt and uncle when her 34-year-old mother died.

Bette, as a youngster, attended schools in Chicago and Wisconsin and upon earning a bachelor of science degree from Stout University, Menomonie, Wis., taught Home Economics in the Vocational School, Sheboygan, Wis.

Her marriage to Donal Halvorson took place in Wauwatosa, Wis., Aug. 27, 1944, and two children, Cathleen and Timothy, were born to this marriage.

Following her husband's service in World War II, in 1946 they moved to his hometown of St. Ansgar where he entered the family banking enterprise. Serving the community as a volunteer, Bette was involved in a variety of activities. As a member of the United Methodist Church, she served on various committees and as an officer of United Methodist Women.

Through her concern, UNICEF was initiated in St. Ansgar in 1962. As a 40-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary and as Red Cross Blood Program Chairman, she received a citation for 23 years of service in this project from the Auxiliary. Her interest in libraries was demonstrated by 22 years as trustee and chairman of the Board of Trustees of Nissen Library in St. Ansgar.

She served on the Community Coordinating Committee, was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, and belonged to Clausen Colony of Questers. She also belonged to IC Club, a Federated Women's Club. She also helped initiate the Parent Teachers Association in the St. Ansgar Community Schools.

Elizabeth is survived by her husband, Donal, St. Ansgar; a daughter, Cathleen and son-in-law, Jack Carruthers, Fort Myers, Fla.; one son, Timothy and his wife, Sally, of St. Ansgar; four grandchildren, Melissa and her husband, Christopher Tomasso, James Daniel Woolm, Megan Elizabeth Halvorson, and Erin Katherine Halvorson; one great-grandson, Jared Christopher Tomasso; one brother, Harold Rasmussen and his wife, Helen, of Prairie du Chein, Wis.; several nieces, nephews and inlaws; a brother-in-law, John Halvorson and his wife, Joyce; and sisters-in-law, Laura (Halvorson) and her husband, Edward Jobe, and Louise
(Halvorson) Tellefson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two special aunts, and two special uncles.

The family requests memorials be given to the Elizabeth Halvorson Memorial Fund which will be donated to the National Parkinsons Foundation.

[Published 15 Oct 2000, Mason City Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa]

[Submitted to IaGenWeb by Don Grell - May 2005]