John Arne Halvorson, 96, died Friday, February 26th, 2021 at his home in Mesa, AZ under the care of Hospice of the Valley along with family.
John was born to Tallak and Anna (Boreson) Halvorson on October 4, 1924 near Haley, ND. In 1936, the family moved to the Aneta area. He graduated from Aneta High School in 1943.
John worked on several farms and then was hired by Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. when they came through the area putting up telephone lines in fall of 1943. In 1944, he was drafted into the United States Marine Corps. During World War II, he fought in the battle at Iwo Jima. He was shot and wounded during this battle on March 14, 1945. After recuperating in Hawaii and Guam, he was stationed in occupied Japan till his discharge in July of 1946. He returned to North Dakota and resumed his employment with Northwestern Bell where he worked various supervisor positions in Fargo, Wimbledon and Grafton before retiring in 1981.
John married Grace Dunford on April 2, 1949 in Moorhead, MN. They lived in Fargo, Wimbledon and Grafton and in 1981 retired to Mesa, AZ. During their retirement, they enjoyed golfing, taking trips and being with friends and family.
John was a past and present member of the VFW, American Legion, DAV, 40 et 8, Telephone Pioneers, Lions Club, Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge, Wimbledon Volunteer Fire Department and Desert Sands Men’s Golf Club. He was a member of Velda Rose United Methodist Church in Mesa, where he was an usher thru age 94.
John is survived by his daughters, Sandra Burns and Sonia Misialek of Grafton, ND;
Five grandchildren, Wade (Shirley) Burns, Grafton, ND, Shawnda (Duane) Kemnitz, Grand Forks, ND, Brent (Jen) Burns, Fargo, ND, Seth Misialek and Dylan (Emily Ammesmaki) Misialek, Grafton, ND; Five great-grandchildren, Blake Kemnitz, Zak Kemnitz, Danica Kemnitz and Grace Kemnitz, all of Grand Forks, ND, and Jayce Burns, Fargo, ND; Brothers-in-law, Wesley (Vivian) Dunford, Fargo, ND and Mesa, AZ, and Jack (Mary) Dunford, Sun City West, AZ and Coon Rapids, MN, along with many nieces and nephews.
John was the last surviving member of his immediate family, having been predeceased by his parents; his wife; brothers, Harold, Bernard, Trygve (Art), Marvin and Roy; sisters, Ugda (Beatrice) Utterbach, Gunda Olson, Jenny Walker, Lillian Olson Browning, Cora Baker; son-in-law, Patrick Burns and many other relatives.
Services will be held at 2pm on Friday, March 5, 2021 at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7900 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ, 85207, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Military Honors will be provided at graveside following the service.
To attend the service remotely, you may click on the link below.
Topic: Halvorson Family Service
Time: Mar 5, 2021 02:00 PM Arizona
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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82048345853?pwd=SkVwVkVobnBaYVE4VTA5ZU5KbEFDQT09
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Passcode: 708238
I have so many memories of John and Grace when they lived in Wimbledon. John was always making us laugh. He loved to do pranks. My dad worked with him and our families spent a lot of time together. He was a great guy. My condolences to Sandy, Sonja, and their families.