Barbara Ann Halvorsen, 88, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2025, in Madison, Wisconsin.
Born on June 20, 1937, in Plainfield, New Jersey, Barbara grew up in Port Norris and Detroit, New Jersey and then in Elmhurst, Illinois. She graduated from West Suburban Nursing School and Wheaton College in 1960, and began her lifelong career as a registered nurse.
In 1961, Barbara married Richard Ellis Halvorsen. She worked night shifts in a hospital to support Richard through seminary, continuing after the births of their first two children, Chris and Rick. After 3 years as a parish minister, Richard joined the military in 1967 and Barbara became a de facto army chaplain's wife.
Barbara showed remarkable strength and resilience as she supported her family through numerous moves across the country—including Texas, Illinois (while Richard served in Vietnam), Louisiana, New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and California—as well as overseas in Germany.
Their third child, Mark, was born in Louisiana. When he was in school, Barbara returned to nursing, working in hospitals and other clinical settings. In the later years of her career, she served as Director of Nursing at a nursing home in Fresno, California.
A talented musician, Barbara played piano (and violin as a child) and contributed to her husband's ministry by serving as church organist throughout most of his military career.
In the 1980s, the couple settled in Fresno, where they lived for more than 30 years. Following Richard's passing in 2015, Barbara experienced a health crisis in 2017 and moved to Madison, Wisconsin, to be near her daughter for support and companionship.
Barbara enjoyed sitcom comedies, driving, "putzing" (as she called it), and relaxing with a glass of chardonnay. In her later years, she delighted in watching birds at the feeder and spotting deer during drives. Her sense of humor was a gift, helping her cope with the more challenging symptoms of vascular dementia.
Barbara is lovingly remembered by her children, Chris Glad, Rick Halvorsen, and Mark Halvorsen; her grandson, Tad Baten; and her sisters, Ruth Parisek, Helen Harford, and Emma Jean Selvig. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, and her parents, Alberta and Kenneth Bouton.
A memorial service will be held November 17th at 1pm at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge in Madison.
Barbara's ashes will be interred beside Richard's in the columbarium at Hope Lutheran Church in Fresno, California.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Agrace Hospice of Madison, the UW School of Nursing Scholarship Fund, or Planned Parenthood.
Born on June 20, 1937, in Plainfield, New Jersey, Barbara grew up in Port Norris and Detroit, New Jersey and then in Elmhurst, Illinois. She graduated from West Suburban Nursing School and Wheaton College in 1960, and began her lifelong career as a registered nurse.
In 1961, Barbara married Richard Ellis Halvorsen. She worked night shifts in a hospital to support Richard through seminary, continuing after the births of their first two children, Chris and Rick. After 3 years as a parish minister, Richard joined the military in 1967 and Barbara became a de facto army chaplain's wife.
Barbara showed remarkable strength and resilience as she supported her family through numerous moves across the country—including Texas, Illinois (while Richard served in Vietnam), Louisiana, New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and California—as well as overseas in Germany.
Their third child, Mark, was born in Louisiana. When he was in school, Barbara returned to nursing, working in hospitals and other clinical settings. In the later years of her career, she served as Director of Nursing at a nursing home in Fresno, California.
A talented musician, Barbara played piano (and violin as a child) and contributed to her husband's ministry by serving as church organist throughout most of his military career.
In the 1980s, the couple settled in Fresno, where they lived for more than 30 years. Following Richard's passing in 2015, Barbara experienced a health crisis in 2017 and moved to Madison, Wisconsin, to be near her daughter for support and companionship.
Barbara enjoyed sitcom comedies, driving, "putzing" (as she called it), and relaxing with a glass of chardonnay. In her later years, she delighted in watching birds at the feeder and spotting deer during drives. Her sense of humor was a gift, helping her cope with the more challenging symptoms of vascular dementia.
Barbara is lovingly remembered by her children, Chris Glad, Rick Halvorsen, and Mark Halvorsen; her grandson, Tad Baten; and her sisters, Ruth Parisek, Helen Harford, and Emma Jean Selvig. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, and her parents, Alberta and Kenneth Bouton.
A memorial service will be held November 17th at 1pm at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge in Madison.
Barbara's ashes will be interred beside Richard's in the columbarium at Hope Lutheran Church in Fresno, California.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Agrace Hospice of Madison, the UW School of Nursing Scholarship Fund, or Planned Parenthood.
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