George M. Halverson

MADISON–George M. Halverson, age 90, passed away on Friday, June 9, 2017.  He was born on Oct. 8, 1926, in Marshall, Wis., the son of Leo and Ada (Miller) Halverson.  George grew up in Marshall.  He was proud of being on the High School basketball team and graduated with the class of 1944, with all 11 of his fellow seniors.  He served in the U.S. Army in WWII.  He was a 60 year member of Freemasonry Commonwealth Lodge, 325 and through Scottish Rites attained the 32nd degree. George graduated from UW-Madison in 1954.  He had a career with the Department of Transportation which lasted over 35 years.  He met the love of his life while she was working at the Hills Coffee Shop in downtown Madison and married Barbara L. Swenson on Aug. 8, 1953, and this only child suddenly had 15 new brothers and sisters. George and Barb made their home on Crestview Drive in Madison a renowned gathering place for their extended family for 47 years. He loved hunting and fishing with family and friends all his life and made several trips to “the cabin up north” every year. Special friends included the Pietsch’s, Bergman’s and Good’s.  George loved routine with his family best, with spontaneous adventures thrown in.  He adored all dogs, especially Brandy who grew up with his children. The adventures were family travel trips, out West and to Florida. Two events in his life he knew he would like, went far beyond his wildest expectations, a trip to Germany to see family and especially all that came with a new title: GRANDPA! George is survived by his children, Mary Wagner, Lee (Tina) Halverson and Bill Halverson; grandchildren, Shana Wagner, Ross Wagner and Breanna (Luke) Dunneisen; great-grandchildren, Moses Van Horn and Austin and Wyatt Dunneisen; close cousins, Noel Halverson, Perc Meyer and Gary Larson; and countless nieces and nephews, to whom he was “Uncle George” and “Twinkle Toes.”  A special mention to Karen (Cecil) Neal and Jeanne (Bob) Stanley who have added special care in his later years to their life-long love.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Barb; parents; a grandchild, Griffin Wagner; and special uncles, Ritchie (Verlie) Bostwick and Ford (Edna) Halverson.  A Celebration of Life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 9, 2017, with Pastor Jerry Amstutz presiding.  A dinner will follow the service. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 3 p.m. until the time of the service on Sunday.