Dorothy J Halvorsen

Dorothy J Halvorsen

July 27, 1931 - April 21, 2024

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Obituary

MADISON / LAKE MILLS - Dorothy J. Halvorsen, age 92, of Lake Mills, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at Rainbow Hospice Care. She was born on July 27, 1931, in Iron Mountain, Mich., the daughter of John and Matilda (VanPae) Maynard.


Dorothy graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1948. She met Clarence "Bud" Halvorsen on a blind date, and they were united in marriage in 1950. Their marriage was blessed with four children.  Dorothy cherished the years being at home with her children, but she also felt the need to help others.  She took a job working as a library assistant for Madison Public Library, retiring in 1991.


Dorothy was a loving mother and grandmother. Her family was her pride and joy. Dorothy and Bud took the family on many car vacations, traveling throughout the U.S.   She also enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas and various casinos.  Dorothy and Bud were former members of the Moose Club and enjoyed the Moose Club’s Friday night fish frys and dining out at Toby’s.


Dorothy is survived by her son, John (Jean) Halvorsen; daughter, Sharon (Gary) Ring; daughter-in-law, Gloria Ortega Halvorsen; grandchildren, Christopher (Jennifer) Ring, Jason (Lori) Halvorsen, Brian (Kayla) Ring and Richard (Rhanessa) Halvorsen; special granddaughter and care giver, Lisa (Brent) Cherry; step grandchildren, Renee Smith, Rochel Smith and Ryan Smith; nine great-grandchildren, Brittany (Kyle) Chappell, Kailey Ring, Blake (fiancée, Trisha) Ring, Haley Halvorsen, Dawson Cherry, Henry Halvorsen, Madison and Kennedy Cherry, Vince Halvorsen and Fritz Halvorsen; great-great-grandchildren, Bennet and Briella Logan and Jaxson Chappell; step great-grandchildren, Keandra, Keeyan, Kaden, Nasir and Jaleel; and a step great-great- grandchild, Numani.


She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Matilda; husband, Clarence "Bud" Halvorsen; sons, David Halvorsen and Larry Halvorsen; brother, Robert (Renate) Maynard; and sister, Ruth (Neil) Bouche.


A private family gathering was held.   Memorials may be gifted in Dorothy's name to Rainbow Hospice in Johnson Creek (www.rainbowcommunitycare.org/). Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

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TS
Timothy Shipley
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Sorry for your loss. Her heart will live on through her family that she created. Tim Shipley
MB
Mel & Bonnie
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Our deepest sympathy to John, Jean, and the Halverson family Mel & Bonnie Challis
CR
Chris and Jen Ring
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Rest in peace Grandma
SL
Susan Butcher Lee
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I had the pleasure of working with Dorothy in the late 1970s at Madison Public Library. She was always upbeat, helpful, and had that wonderful smile for everyone. I've been lucky to see her a few times in the years since at various MPL events; she never seemed to change a bit. She was a lovely lady. My sympathies are with all of you. Susan Lee
SS
Sue R. Simpson
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I am so sorry to learn of your/our loss of Dorothy. Another loss of that generation in our family. We looked so forward to family reunions to see the scattered relatives who made it a priority to attend, esp with the history they lived, for us younger generations to learn from. Bud and Dorothy were always there, and they also attended Uncle Frank's Birthday get-togethers in Monona that many of us attended. My brother also worked with Bud. We haven't had any reunions since 2013, losing many of that generation including Mom who loved seeing everyone every year, when work on the farm didn't enable much fun time off the farm over the years. I always had on my to-do list to call Dorothy especially with her kindness to us all. When I finally did, she was in her home, but not driving and soon after, you decided she should be in an assisted living residence for her safety, and sold her home in about a week. I was able to visit her once in her cute apartment in Lake Mills, and planned to visit her again, and at least call her once in awhile. We last talked about a year ago. Taking care of aging families keeps us all busy. I feel terrible I didn't get to at least talk with her again, hopefully visit. She was so much fun to talk and reminisce with. Family, and good friends, are such a huge part of our lives, and learning from our seniors makes our lives so much more complete. My heart aches for your/our loss, and missing my conversations with a beautiful lady, whom we were lucky to call family. She will be missed by many.

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