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Obituary for Phillip O. Halvorsen
Phillip Orville Halvorsen, age 88, entered Heaven on December 2, 2015 at Christian Community Home in Osceola, WI. He was born on June 1, 1927 in Greenwald, MN, to Oscar and Pauline (Frovold) Halvorsen.
His family moved to Swatara, MN, a few years later where Phil attended school. He was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hill City, MN. He went to high school in Hill City.
Phil enlisted in the U.S. Navy when he was a senior in high school. After his discharge he was in the Navy Reserves for a few years. He graduated from Telegraph School in Minneapolis, MN, and worked as a Depot Agent for the Soo Line Railroad for 42 years.
Phil married Gladys Nelson, daughter of Adolph and Esther (Jacobson) Nelson on June 18, 1950 at Sturgeon Lake, MN. They started their life together in Dresser, WI. From there they spent some time in East Lake, MN, Elrosa, MN, Marine on the St. Croix, MN, Palisade, MN, and Milltown, WI, where they lived when Phil retired and 25 years after he retired.
Phil and Gladys welcomed sons, Jerald and Jeffrey into their home while living in Palisade, MN, and daughters, Julie and Joy when they were in Milltown. Julie lived only 4 months when she died from pneumonia.
Phil was an active member of Milltown Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Fire Department for many years and treasurer of the Senior Citizen Club for 15 years.
Phil was a wonderful husband and father. He loved being with his family and working with his children in their activities in church, school and scouts.
Phil retired from the Soo Line in September of 1987, but he kept busy with volunteer jobs until he was unable to do it anymore.
Phil and Gladys sold their home of 50 years and moved to the Royal Oaks Senior Apartments in Osceola, WI in July of 2013.
Phil was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Julie Ann; his parents, Oscar and Pauline Halvorsen; sisters, Ella Mae, Mabel, Prudence, Lucille, Evelyn and Wanda; infant brothers and one infant sister; his mother and father-in-law, Adolph and Esther Nelson; several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife of 65 years, Gladys; son, Jerald (Michiyo) Halvorsen; son, Jeffrey (Janice) Halvorsen, daughter, Joy (Michael) Buer; grandsons, Mark (Rie) Halvorsen, Michael Halvorsen, Zachary Halvorsen, Ian Buer; granddaughter, Lillian Buer; great-granddaughter, Lena Halvorsen; great-grandson, Souma Halvorsen; sisters, Helen and Rose; brother, Leroy; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews and many friends.
Funeral services will be held at Milltown Lutheran Church on Friday, December 4th visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. followed by the service at 2:00 p.m. Military Honors will be presented at the church following the service. Phillip will be laid to rest at Milltown Cemetery following Honors. Due to allergies, Gladys is requesting no flowers - green plants or memorials are preferred.
An online guestbook is available at www.rowefh.com . Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home in Luck, 715-472-2444.
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