Carl O. Halvorson

Carl O. Halvorson, 82, of Coon Valley died peacefully at his home on Friday evening November 5, 2010. He was born in La Crosse on June 20, 1928 to Julius and Clara (Wold) Halvorson of the town of Bergen. Carl was baptized and confirmed at the Lower Coon Valley Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1942 he graduated from Hilltop country school. He attended high school in Lansing, Iowa before transferring to Central High School in La Crosse where he graduated in 1946. After working on the family farm, Carl was hired by the Kramer Construction Company in the early 1950's. In 1954, he married Betty L. Spellum in Upper Coon Valley Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church and moved to the village of Coon Valley. In that same year he was hired by the Trane Company and worked there for over 30 years in the order/billing department. After retiring from Trane, he was employed by Cargo Transport for ten years. After retiring from Cargo Transport, he worked part-time at Seland's in Coon Valley.

Carl served as the treasurer of his church for three decades, sang in its Senior Choir for many years, and served as a volunteer on numerous congregational projects. He was also a charter member and past president of the Coulee Region Antique Engine Club. As the great grandson of one of the first pioneers to settle in Lower Coon Valley, he was also naturally interested in the activities at Norskedalen. During his retirement years, he spent many hours working at its sites and he received the Norskedalen Award for his service to the organization in 2008.

Carl is survived by his wife Betty, his son Lieutenant Colonel John (Ann) Halvorson of Onalaska, his daughter Jane (Gregg) Simmons of La Crosse, his granddaughter Shannon Simmons of La Crosse, his brother James (Joyce) Halvorson of Holmen, his brother-in-law Donald (Eleanor) Spellum of West Covina, Calif., 4 nephews, 3 nieces, and numerous grandnephews and grandnieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Earl and Lisa Spellum and his brother-in-law Second Lieutenant John Spellum.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday November 9, 2010 at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Rev. Mitzi Miyamoto will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until service time. Memorials may be given to the Coon Valley Lutheran Church or Norskedalen. The Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley is assisting the family.