Merlin Willard HALVERSON

HALVERSON, WICKS, DRAVES, PEDERSON, COOK, LAND, ROSETH

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/9/2012 at 19:05:21

October 22, 1931 --- August 4, 2012

Merlin Willard Halverson, age 80, of Kanawha and Belmond, passed away Saturday, August 4, 2012 after a tough battle with cancer at his residence in Belmond. Funeral services for Merlin W. Halverson will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday August 8, 2012 at the St Olaf Lutheran Church west of Belmond. Pastor James Harbaugh will officiate. Burial will take place in the St Olaf Lutheran Church cemetery. Graveside military rites will be provided by the Belmond Honor Guard. Visitation for Merlin W. Halverson will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Tuesday August 7, 2012 at Dugger Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane South in Belmond and continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials be made in Merlin W. Halverson’s name to Wright County Hospice, St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Belmond VFW or the donor’s choice.

Merlin was born October 22, 1931 at his rural Kanawha home, to Garfield Theodore and Millie Helena (Wicks) Halverson. He attended country school through the 8th grade and was a 1949 graduate of Belmond High School. Merlin served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1956. Upon his discharge from the Navy, he returned to the family farm and began farming with his father and brother Garfield Jr. After retiring from farming, he worked various jobs until he joined Eaton Corporation in 1986. He retired from Eaton in 2001 at the age of 70. Merlin married Marcella Louise Draves on January 20, 1957 at the Dows Presbyterian Church. To this union were born three children: Monica, Marsha and Mark. Merlin was devoted to his family and their many interests including 4-H and numerous school activities. Merlin most enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing, traveling, card games, gardening and spending time with his family and friends. Nobody was a stranger to Merlin as he loved conversing with people no matter how well he knew them. Merlin was a life-long member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church where he was baptized and confirmed.

Merlin is survived by his wife Marcella; two daughters Monica (Charles Cook) Halverson of Belmond, IA and Marsha (Mark) Pederson of Effingham, IL; step grandchildren Tonia (Eric) Land of Ankeny, IA and Matt (Kara) Pederson of Topeka, KS and their families; sister-in-law Peggy Halverson of Belmond and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, infant son Mark, three brothers, Melvin, Ervin, Garfield Jr. and sisters-in-law Esther and Shirley, a sister, Herma and brother-in-law Brandon Roseth, two nephews, Douglas Roseth and Curtis Halverson.

DUGGER FUNERAL HOME
http://www.duggerfunerals.com/current-services.html