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Roger Halvorson
Marquette, Iowa (Formerly of Monona, Iowa)
Roger A. Halvorson, 80, of Marquette (formerly of Monona), Iowa, died Sunday, November 2, 2014, at his home. Roger Allan, the son of Victory L. and Ruby E. (Jenson) Halvorson, was born February 12, 1934 in Waterville, Iowa. Roger was baptized in 1934 and confirmed in 1948 at the Waterville Lutheran Church. He graduated from Waterville High School and received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Upper Iowa University.
Roger served as a sergeant with Company D, 133rd Infantry of the Iowa National Guard from 1951 until 1959. He was united in marriage with Connie May Rohde on December 27, 1955 in Fayette, Iowa. Through the years, Roger was involved with many businesses. As a youth, Roger was a hired hand for several Waterville farmers, he painted houses and buildings in Fayette during college, he was a teacher at Luana High School, and was a field representative for a national insurance company. Roger and Connie owned and operated Halvorson Real Estate - which developed residential apartments and homes in Monona and numerous towns around Northeast Iowa -- Halvorson Insurance Agency, a tree farm, and Mononah Maid Greenhouse in Monona; Alte Heidelberg Gardens Restaurant in Luana; senior citizen housing developments in Guttenberg, Elgin, Fayette, and Wadena; Eagles Landing Bed and Breakfast, Eagles Landing Winery and Vineyard in Marquette. Roger and Connie founded and served with the Emma Big Bear Foundation and the Roger and Connie Halvorson Family-Clayton County Foundation for the Future (CCFF) Fund for Entrepreneurship.
Roger served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1974 until 1996 and was the House Majority Leader for several years. He represented Clayton, Allamakee, Fayette, and Winneshiek Counties. Roger also served as the Executive Director of the Iowa Department of Commerce from 1997 until 1999, completing his 25-year tenure of public service for the State of Iowa. He was awarded the Thomas Jefferson Award for Leadership from the United States American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
Roger belonged to many organizations including Kiwanis, JayCees, Monona City Councilman, Monona Volunteer Fire Department, Monona Stock Club, Tri-City Golf Course as Vice President, Waterville Lutheran Church President, and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona. He was inducted into the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Hall of Fame as an officiating referee.
Roger enjoyed fishing, boating, golfing, playing cards, playing or watching any sport - especially his long and playful rivalry between "Roger's Dodgers" and "Connie's Braves" - telling jokes or playing tricks on his friends and family, traveling around the world with Connie, wine making, and making fresh water pearl jewelry. Most of all, Roger loved, was proud of, and enjoyed spending time with his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren.
Roger served as the Clayton County Republican Chairman, Iowa Second District Republican Chairman, was on the Republican State Central Committee, the Iowa Chairman for ALEC, founder of the annual Lincoln Club Dinner for Clayton County Republicans, and served as the Lincoln Club's annual fundraising letter writer. After he left the state house, Roger served as President of the Iowa Winegrowers Association, was a charter winery member of the Iowa Wine Trail, the Great River Road Wine Trail and other wine trails, and his winery was licensed as the 13th winery founded in Iowa during the re-birth of that industry. Roger also served on the CCFF board, Scenic Byways board, Iowa Pioneer Lawmakers Association, Zoning Board in Marquette, was an original founder of the Lazy River Beer & Wine Fest in Marquette, an active member of the McGregor-Marquette Chamber of Commerce, and many other organizations wherever he could help. Roger will be remembered by everyone for his gracious manner, friendly smile, innovative ideas, and helpfulness.
Roger is survived by his wife of 58 years, Connie, of Marquette; his children, Tracey Halvorson of Omaha, NE, Rogeta Halvorson of McGregor, Jay (Cindy) Halvorson of Marquette, and Lisa (Carlton) Goodwin of Cedar Rapids, IA; his grandchildren, Sarah Knockel (Nick) Follmuth of Ankeny, IA, Andrew (fiancée, Molly Junge) Halvorson of Omaha, NE, Katharine Goodwin of Omaha, NE, and Madeline Goodwin of Cedar Rapids, IA; his step-grandchildren, Elisabeth (Joe) Crabtree of Virginia Beach, VA, Michelle Goodwin of Virginia Beach, VA , Carlton Goodwin III of Virginia Beach, VA, Casey (Derek) Evanson of Monona, Amanda (Eric) D'Hooge of Chapel Hill, NC, and Halie Ruff of Waterloo, IA; his great grandchild, Carter John Follmuth of Ankeny, IA; his step-great grandchildren, Danielle Crabtree of Virginia Beach, VA, Stephanie Crabtree of Virginia Beach, VA, Corbin Evanson of Monona, and Aiden Evanson of Monona; his brother, William (Linda) Halvorson of Waterville; his sisters-in-law Launee Halvorson of Waterville, and Cathie (Don) Langel of Kirksville, MO, Roberta Anderson of Plymouth, IA, and Sandi Rohde of Farmersburg, IA; his brothers-in-law Ben Rohde of Fayette, Joe (Rachel) Rohde of Fayette, and Don (Wendy) Rohde of Marion, IA; and many nieces and nephews.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Victory and Ruby; a brother, Donald Halvorson; his parents-in-law, Bernard and Mildred Rohde; brothers-in-law, John Rohde, James Rohde, and Harold Gade; and sisters-in-law, Norma Rohde, and Nancy Gade.
Memorials may be made in Roger's honor to CCFF's Emma Big Bear Foundation at www.emmabigbearfoundation.org and the Roger and Connie Halvorson Family CCFF Fund for Entrepreneurship at www.claytoncountyiowa.com. Condolences may be left for the family at www.graufuneralhomes.com.
Visitation will be on Friday, November 7, 2014 from 2 - 8 p.m. at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Monona, Iowa. There will also be a one- hour visitation before services at the church on Saturday.
Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona, Iowa with Rev. Erika Kielstrup as the Officiant.
Interment will follow at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Monona, Iowa with Military Honors.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Monona, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Hard to believe on Nov. 2 you'll be gone 5 years (Nov. 2, 2014). Miss your laugh, hugs, & kisses, plus great advice, out-of-the-box ideas & 100% support whenever I needed you. You always cracked me up and I miss your family history takes, funny stories, practical jokes and boyish smirks when joking. Love & miss you, from Lil' Rog.
Halvorson Rogeta
Daughter
October 30, 2019
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
*******
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain UNTO THE COMING OF THE LORD shall NOT prevent them which are asleep.
*******
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of god: and the DEAD in Christ shall rise FIRST!
*******
THEN we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Peter Fuhrman
June 1, 2015
Connie & Family, please know that you are in the prayers of Judy and I at this difficult time. I am so glad we stopped by, Connie, back in the Spring and visited Roger and you that day. Roger was a good friend and colleague.
Lyle Krewson
Lyle Krewson
November 6, 2014
Tracey, I am sad for you and will keep you in my prayers ! What a beautiful legacy of contribution and service he has left.
Pam Chelesvig
November 6, 2014
Tracey,
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Our dads are now resting in the arms of the Lord.
Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
Renata Clinton
November 6, 2014
Tracey, I am so sorry for your sadness upon the death of your dear father. You will know you are healing when you can start laughing at the memories of good times and still hold the sorrow of your loss close.
Holly Hackwith
November 5, 2014
We are so sorry for your loss. It is a loss to all of us. We will miss Roger's good cheer at the wine tastings, progressive dinners and other events. He always brought a spirit of fun and friendliness. Our prayers are with the family at this time.
Mel & Maureen Wild
November 5, 2014
Thinking of you Tracey!
Kim and Doug Junge
November 5, 2014
My condolences. I greatly enjoyed serving in the Iowa House with Roger from 1991-1994.Always a gentleman and always a prankster, and always your friend.
Clark McNeal
November 5, 2014
I love you, dad. You'll always be a big part of my life, and it'll be tough without you. I treasure our times together and will miss working with you on our projects. I know you will watch over mom, and we will take great care of her for you.
Rogeta Halvorson
November 5, 2014
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Funeral services provided by:
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home & Cremation Services - Monona500 W Center St, Monona, IA 52159
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