Russell H. Halvorson

RAPID CITY - Russell H. "Russ" Halvorson, 87, Rapid City, died Monday, Jan. 31, 2011, at Clarkson Mountain View Health Care Facility.

He was born Oct. 20, 1923, in Castlewood to Carl N. Halvorson and Laura B. Tollefson Halvorson, the youngest of six children. Russ attended Castlewood High School, South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota before graduating from the University of Kansas in 1946 with a degree in Business Administration.

Russ served in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1948 in Germany. Upon returning to civilian life, he returned to Castlewood for a short time, then got on a bus with one suitcase, and moved to Rapid City at the invitation of local banker A.E. Dahl. He stayed at the old Harney Hotel. He eventually moved into a boarding house where he met his future brother-in-law, Robert Mikkelson, and ultimately his future wife.

He began his career in banking at the Rapid City National Bank where he remained for 37 years through its numerous name and ownership changes until retiring from First Bank System in 1985. It is now US Bank. Russ was known throughout his banking career for his high ethical standards, his integrity and his honesty.

Russ married Frances L. Mikkelson (his pet name for her was Fan Lou) June 22, 1952, in Sioux Falls. They raised three sons in Rapid City and remained married until Frances passed away on July 27, 1988.

Russ married Gwenda M. Mathew on Feb. 15, 1992.

Russ was very active in the Rapid City community and held numerous volunteer positions including:  Pennington County Red Cross Fund Drive Chairman, Member and Chairman of First Congregational Church Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer of the Rapid City Jaycees, and Member of the Board of Trustees of Bennett-Clarkson Memorial Hospital from 1958 to 1973 when it merged with St. John's McNamarra Hospital and became Rapid City Regional Hospital. He was active in leadership in the South Dakota State Bankers Association and sat on the committee responsible for the re-codification of the banking laws of the State of South Dakota. He worked soliciting funds for all four Building Fund drives of the Rapid City YMCA beginning in 1963 through 1995. He was a long-time member and Past President of the Downtown Kiwanis Club and was a member of First Congregational Church, where he began singing in the choir in 1950. Russ loved singing and sang barbershop harmony with his friends in the Shrine of Democracy Chorus for many years. He enjoyed golf and was an avid tennis player until sidelined by hip surgery at the age of 76.

Survivors include his wife, Gwenda Matthew of Rapid City; three sons and daughters-in-law, Tom (Cheryl Bush of Overland Park, Kan., Steve (Lotis Parcon) of Rapid City, and Rich (Gayle Marsh) of San Rafael, Calif.; two granddaughters, Lauren and Kendra Halvorson, both of Overland Park; and a sister, Betty J. Willis of Sikeston, Mo. 

Survivors also include four stepchildren, Jody (Jack) Zupnick of Mesa, Ariz., Wendy Renner and Jeff (Kim) Matthew, all of Rapid City, and Craig (Fiona) Matthew of Manila, Philippines; nine stepgrandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Thelma Underburg of Sioux Falls, and Barbara (Dave) Lyle of Sequim, Wash.

Russ was preceded in death by his brothers, Harris W. Halvorson and Robert W. Halvorson; and sisters, Verna Silberberger and Arlene V. Hyink.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the entire staff of Clarkson Mountain View Health Care Facility for the love and care they gave to Russ the last year of his life. Thank you.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, 2700 Jackson Blvd. 

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1200 Clark Street, with Rev. Ted Huffman officiating.

Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Clarkson Mountain View Health Care Facility, 1015 Mountain View Road, Rapid City, SD 57702; the YMCA Scholarship Fund, 815 Kansas City St., Rapid City, SD 57701; or a charity of your choice.

His online guestbook is available to sign at www.osheimschmidt.com.