Halvorson, Sigurd 1867 – 1900

HALVORSON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/27/2020 at 13:40:30

Source: Decorah Republican Apr. 19, 1900 P 2 C 2

THE SILENT REAPER.
SIGURD HALVORSON.
Well may Decorah mourn to-day, for there has passed from among us one who has been the favorite of every person who knew him, whether it be man, woman or child,—rich or poor.
Sigurd Halvorson—“Sig” as he was known to all—was born in Stavager, Norway, Aug. 24th, 1867, and came to America with his parents in 1871. They came directly to Iowa and made their home at Marshalltown until the spring of 1874, when they moved to Decorah. Since that time this has been their home. Here Sig has grown to manhood and his life has been an open book. As soon as it was possible for him to do so he began helping his father in his business as a marble cutter—earning his way in the world. A fondness for music found expression while he was yet in his teens in a beautiful tenor voice which grew in purity and richness as the years passed, and one of the pleasant recollections of his multitude of friends will be the voice which was always raised in sweetest melody wherever his services were desired. Luren singing society claimed him as one of its members early in his career as a singer and he soon became its leading tenor. To him they owe many a triumph at home and abroad and none will mourn him more truly than those who remain. But music and its interpretation was only one of his talents. To this he added a capability to carry out a task once entered upon, and one could rely upon him to fulfill a promise once made. His was a jovial, hearty, whose-souled nature and he possessed that rare faculty of making every man his friend and keeping that friendship.
Sigurd had virtues, too. First he loved his mother, father, sisters and brother. They were always first and foremost in his thoughts, and he looked forward to growing old with and caring for his parents as one of the pleasures and compensations of life. And his friends knew that he loved them, too. With them he was ever ready to share his pleasures and divide their sorrows. No deserving one ever wont to him in distress to be turned away empty handed.
When the free delivery of mail was established in Decorah Sigurd was appointed as one of the carriers and it is no disparagement of any who have been associated with him to say that the fidelity to his trust coupled with an intelligent conception of the best interests of the service made him an exceedingly capable official. It was in this service that his health broke down. A desire to have his work completed each day and have nothing leftover to trammel the morrow caused him to work long hours, many times catching his meals when and how he could, only to follow them by going out once more upon his route with heavy sacks of mail—a strain that even his robust constitution could not endure. Slowly—ever so slowly— the insidious disease crept through his system until a year ago in December last he fell unconscious upon the street while in the performance of his work. From that time on he failed gradually, though for a time after his return from a vacation trip to California he enjoyed fair health. With the fall and colder weather a marked change occurred and he was compelled to secure a substitute much of the time previous to being confined to the house. In February be visited the Twin Cities and consulted physicians who confirmed the diagnosis of the local physicians—Bright’s disease— and that there was no hope of recovery. Soon after his return home Sig was confined to the house and after a month of suffering he passed away yesterday morning shortly before noon.
Truly it does seem that Death loves a shining mark. The grim messenger could not have singled out one who will be missed more, for everywhere there was an open door, everywhere a warm greeting for Sigurd Halvorson.
The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at the United Lutheran church, at two o’clock, Rev. J. O. Haugen officiating.

Lutheran Decorah Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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