Eugene Dennis Halvorson

Eugene Dennis Halvorson, age 90, died in his sleep Friday, January 30, 2015 at home in Redding, CA. Dennis, as he was known to family and friends in North Dakota, was born September 4, 1924 in McVille, ND, to Rudolph Oli and Nora Kathryn Donohue Halvorson. Dennis attended Sheyenne #2 country school and graduated from Tolna High School in 1942.

Dennis lived most of his young life on the family farm near Tolna, ND, a small farming community where he says “Everyone knows everyone else for miles around.” Dennis, along with his six brothers, grew up farming but he preferred to help his mother in the kitchen. Without any sisters, his mother Nora needed help to keep the farm workers fed. This early training in the kitchen is probably where Dennis’s love of cooking and baking began. Dennis learned the value of hard work and the importance and love of family from his hardworking grandparents from Norway, Ireland, and Germany.

A month after graduating from Tolna High School in 1942, a friend offered him a ride to California for the price of $10. Dennis left Tolna with $40 in his pocket and headed to Berkeley, California. He quickly found work as a journey welder in the shipyards.

Sylvia Granum, a hometown girl and the love of his life, followed Dennis to Berkeley, California in 1942. They were married in Berkeley in February 1943 and celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary in 2014.

World War II broke out and Dennis enlisted in the army in 1944. He was called back into the army in 1950 to serve in the Korean War.

After the war, Dennis and Sylvia lived in Billings and Miles City, Montana with their two daughters Vicki and Kathy. Dennis found his calling and became an independent insurance provider and moved to Kalispell, Montana in 1955. He had a successful career that lasted from 1954 until 1985 during which time he acquired the designation of Certified Life Underwriter (CLU). Seeking refuge from the long winters in Montana, Dennis and Sylvia moved to Santa Barbara, California in 1975, and eventually migrated north to Redding in 1985.

Dennis was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Redding, CA. Dennis will be especially remembered for his many years doing volunteer work. This included being a Eucharistic Minister, taking weekly shifts in the Prayer Room, delivering communion to the homebound around Redding, conducting a Communion Service at The Vista’s, managing the church bingo operations for 13 years to benefit the church; preparing breakfasts monthly for the parishioners at Our Lady of Mercy, and monthly breakfasts for the residents of The Redwoods Mobile Home Park.

Dennis will be greatly missed by his two daughters, Vicki Sue Cook and Kathy Denise Munoz both of Redding, CA; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; Heather Munoz, her husband Chris Maxwell, and son Tobin of San Jose, CA; Wesley Munoz, his wife Brittany Munoz, their son Heston and daughter Londyn of Midland, TX; and Ryan Munoz of Milwaukee, WI; 3 brothers, Arthur and Marie Halvorson of Lakota, ND, Aloyus and Arlene Halvorson of Rosemount, MN, and Murill Halvorson of Fargo, ND; sisters-in-law, Marie L. Halvorson of Pekin, and Liv Halvorson of McVille; and 23 nieces and nephews.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sylvia, in May 2014; his 3 brothers, Daniel Halvorson, LaVerne Halvorson, and Terrance Halvorson; his brother-in-law, Alfred Brennan; 2 sisters-in-law, Jean Halvorson and Estelle Brennan; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

When someone you love dies, you never quite get over it. You just slowly learn how to go on without them, but keeping them tucked safely in your heart.

The Funeral Mass will be held at A