Dorothy Ann Halvorson (Severson), age 88, died Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Grand
View Nursing Home in Blair, WI.
Dorothy was born May 31, 1937 in the town of Franklin to Alvin and Hazel Severson.
She attended a one room schoolhouse, the Rose Hill School, in Franklin and later
graduated from Taylor High School as valedictorian of her class. After graduating
Dorothy moved to Milwaukee to pursue a nursing degree. In three years she was an RN
working at Deaconess Hospital where she stayed for 10 years.
Dorothy was a woman of faith and family. She married Howard Halvorson in 1961 and
later moved back to Taylor, WI where they bought the Severson farm. Together they
raised their children Chris and Kim, and were foster parents to 17 foster kids through
the years. Dorothy, upon moving back took a job at the newly opened Black River
Memorial Hospital. During her time there, she worked in all departments—ER,
medical/surgical, and OB—and witnessed the growth of the hospital from its beginnings
to what it is today.
Once a nurse, always a nurse. Dorothy loved playing nurse and her mother said she
would never be a patient, “I had to be a nurse”. She was a compassionate and lifelong
nurse. She was committed to her community and she loved baking all those T-rings,
monkey bread and pull-apart bread.
Dorothy is survived by children Chris (Mary Jo) Halvorson, Kim (Jim) Renn;
grandchildren sara Simonson, Ashley (Josh) Edwards, Cory Halvorson, Eric Halvorson;
great-grandchildren Elise and Evelyn Edwards, Xander, AJ, Jamieson and Gabe
Simonson, Hazel and Eldrich Halvorson; brother Glen (Patricia) Severson; foster
brothers Glen White, Larry Littlegeorge; foster sisters Gale White, Cecilia White, Reta
Littlegeorge, Mary Halverson; sister-in-law Del Severson;
She is preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Hazel Severson; nephew Devin
Severson; an infant brother; brothers Duane, LaMoine and Dean Severson; grandchild
Alexandra Simonson; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.
Funeral services for Dorothy Halvorson will be held Saturday, November 29 at Upper
Beaver Creek Lutheran Church at 2pm. Friends may call during visitation at Torgerson
Funeral Home on Friday, November 28 from 3pm until 6pm, and Saturday at the church
from 1pm until the start of services.
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