Dorothy Ann Halvorson (Severson)
Dorothy Ann Halvorson (Severson)
Dorothy Ann Halvorson (Severson), 88, died Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 at Grand View Nursing Home in Blair, WI.
Dorothy was born May 31, 1937, in the town of Franklin to Alvin and Hazel Severson. She attended a one-room schoolhouse, the Rose Hill School, in Franklin and later graduated from Taylor High School as valedictorian of her class. After graduating, Dorothy moved to Milwaukee to pursue a nursing degree. In three years, she was an RN working at Deaconess Hospital where she stayed for 10 years.
Dorothy was a woman of faith and family. She married Howard Halvorson in 1961 and later moved back to Taylor, WI, where they bought the Severson farm. Together they raised their children, Chris and Kim, and were foster parents to 17 foster kids through the years. Dorothy, upon moving back, took a job at the newly opened Black River Memorial Hospital. During her time there, she worked in all departments—ER, medical/surgical and OB—and witnessed the growth of the hospital from its beginnings to what it is today.
Once a nurse, always a nurse. Dorothy loved playing nurse and her mother said she would never be a patient, “I had to be a nurse.” She was a compassionate and lifelong nurse. She was committed to her community, and she loved baking all those T-rings, monkey bread and pull-apart bread.
Dorothy is survived by children, Chris (Mary Jo) Halvorson, Kim (Jim) Renn; grandchildren Sara Simonson, Ashley (Josh) Edwards, Cory Halvorson and Eric Halvorson; great-grandchildren Elise and Evelyn Edwards, Xander, AJ, Jamieson and Gabe Simonson and Hazel and Eldrich Halvorson; brother Glen (Patricia) Severson; foster brothers Glen White and Larry Littlegeorge; foster sisters Gale White, Cecilia White, Reta Littlegeorge and Mary Halverson; and sister-in-law Del Severson.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Hazel Severson; nephew Devin Severson; an infant brother; brothers Duane, LaMoine and Dean Severson; grandchild Alexandra Simonson; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.
Funeral services for Dorothy Halvorson will be held Saturday, Nov. 29, at Upper Beaver Creek Lutheran Church at 2 p.m. Friends may call during visitation at Torgerson Funeral Home Friday, Nov. 28, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m., and Saturday at the church from 1 p.m. until the start of services.