Eldon Clare Halverson

Heaven gained the faithful soul of Eldon Clare Halverson, 88, of Shelby, Montana, on Monday, April 22, 2024, in Missoula, Montana. Eldon was born on March 30, 1936, in Scobey, Montana to Arthur Ingolf and Martha Jean Halverson. He was the eldest of two boys.

Eldon grew up on a farm and went to country schools during his childhood, including Peerless High School, where he graduated and met the love of his life, Janet. He was surrounded by many relatives in the area during this time. His grandparents, Henry and Marie Halverson migrated directly from Norway and helped raise Eldon and his younger brother, Allen. He also enjoyed time with his maternal grandparents, Roy and Clara Humbert.

Eldon married his high school sweetheart, Janet Marie Erickson, on June 28, 1959, in Opheim, Montana. He claims that marrying Janet was the best thing he ever did! He received his teaching degree in Business Education from Minot State Teachers College. He and Janet moved to Jordan, Montana during the fall of 1959, where their first daughter, Penelope, was born in 1962. Next, they moved to Shelby in 1964 where Eldon taught Business Education classes at Shelby High School for the next three decades.

Their second daughter, Patrice, was born in April 1967. Shortly after, they temporarily moved to Missoula, where Eldon earned his master's degree from the University of Montana in 1968. Their young family returned to Shelby where he taught high school business education courses and they remained there until his retirement in the spring of 1996. Eldon was an avid Shelby Coyote fan. He also enjoyed playing independent basketball, volleyball, running the timeclock and scoreboard, reffing basketball games, boating, fishing, substitute bus driving, and of course, golfing. He was a member of the Marias Valley Golf & Country Club for many years. He taught Janet and both of his daughters to golf. Penny and Patrice started golfing at an early age and enjoyed daily outings with their father on the golf course. Eldon loved to cheer for the Shelby Coyotes and the Montana Grizzlies. He often called the local radio station, KSEN, asking for the channel of the current Griz game.

Eldon was a member of the local BPOE Elks lodge in Shelby for many years. Upon retirement, Eldon focused on golf, his grandchildren, eating Janet's homemade pies and purely enjoying life. Both he and Janet, were members at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Shelby for sixty years. He served on the church council and picked up Penny and Patrice from piano lessons, voice lessons, Confirmation classes and Luther League on several occasions. Both his immediate family and his church family were very dear to him. He rarely missed a Sunday church service, and he looked forward to that weekly outing. He attended Easter services in Shelby on March 31, 2024. He was officially 88 the day before, so the entire congregation sang happy birthday to him during the service. He was beaming from ear to ear! He and Janet both relocated to Missoula later that week to be closer to family, although it was a very challenging move for them. They dearly loved their home and community in Shelby.

Eldon loved to laugh and tell stories, especially when others laughed with him. He loved his grandchildren dearly and treasured telephone conversations with them. During his later years, he frequently told almost everyone he encountered that he was the luckiest guy around because he had a wonderful wife and two wonderful daughters! He also enjoyed listening to Danni O'Donnell and Lawrence Welk on Saturday nights. He played the guitar as a young man.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Janet Marie (Erickson), and both of his daughters, Penelope "Penny" Hathaway (Jay) of Milwaukie, OR, Patrice Halverson (Jodie Lidstrom) of Florence, MT, plus six grandchildren, Kyle (Melissa) Hathaway of Manhattan Beach, CA, Kelsey Hathaway of Thousand Oaks, CA, Konnor Hathaway of Vacaville, CA, and Jordan, Jasmyn, and Jada Barham, all of Missoula, MT in addition to several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Eldon joins other family members in their eternal home, including his grandparents, parents, and his younger brother, Allen.

The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Shelby, Montana.