Donald "Don" Halverson

1925-2023

Donald “Don” Halverson, 97, of Carroll, Iowa, passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Iowa. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at First United Methodist Church in Carroll with the Rev. Terry Plocher officiating. Music for the service will be by Ellen Severin and Anna Kopaska. Casket bearers will be his sons Myron Halverson, Mark Halverson, David Halverson, Douglas Halverson and Dierk Halverson. The service will be livestreamed on the First United Methodist Church of Carroll Facebook page. Burial will be at Union Township Cemetery east of Coon Rapids at a later date.

Visitation will be held at Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2. Visitation at First United Methodist Church will be from 9:30-10:15 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3.

Memorials are preferred to the Coon Rapids American Legion or First United Methodist Church in Carroll.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll, and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com.

Gene Donald Halverson was born Nov. 17, 1925, in his grandparents’ home in Slater, Iowa, to Burton and Alma (Heggem) Halverson. In his youth, Don was running his local paper route or playing basketball with his friends. Don was a talented baseball and basketball player throughout his high school years, with his father as his coach. He graduated in 1943 from Milford Township in Nevada, Iowa.  

After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy ROTC program and served until 1946. Throughout his time in the Navy, he attended St. Ambrose and Iowa State University and earned a degree in mechanical engineering.

Don found a great love and was married to Mary Ellen Keister on June 11, 1947. The couple made their home in Coon Rapids, Iowa. Don and Mary raised five sons together: Myron, Mark, David, Doug and Dierk. Throughout their years together, they spent much of their time with their family, attending social clubs with friends, and golfing together until Mary’s death in 1993. 

In Coon Rapids, Don was a successful businessman and leader in the community. He owned and ran Keister Lumber Company for many years. Don was a founding charter member in the Coon Rapids Rotary, as well as a member of the Coon Rapids Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion. 

Don found love again, marrying Esther (Stryzewski) Forest. The couple made a home in Carroll, Iowa. They enjoyed many wonderful friends, games of bridge, and travel experiences. Their favorite trips included winters in Arizona and Israel, where Don and Esther were baptized in the Jordan River. 

As a lifelong lover of competition and sports, Don could often be found watching the Iowa State Cyclones, playing bridge with friends, or on the golf course with four hole-in-ones under his belt.

Throughout his life, Don was a faithful man of God, teaching children’s Sunday school for many years. He was an active member of United Methodist Church and sang in the choir. He was an intelligent, eloquent, gentle and kind man. He was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Don is survived by his wife: Esther Halverson; sons: Myron (Joani), Mark (Debbie), David (Mary), Doug (Karla) and Dierk (Barbara) Halverson; stepdaughter: Ann (Kent) Chambers; brother: Paul (Ardelle) Halverson; 16 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ellen (Keister) Halverson; his parents: B.G. “Burton” and Alma Halverson; parents-in-law Harold and Martha (Yaeger) Keister, his sister: Marguerite (Halverson) Werner; grandson Sean Halverson; and many great friends.