Robert D. Halverson, 78, of Elkader, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2017, at the Elkader Care Center after a courageous battle with cancer. Robert Dorf Halverson was born August 29, 1938, in Lansing, IA to Dorf and Viette (Thompson) Halverson. Bob graduated from Lansing High School in 1956. He then attended the University of Iowa for two years.
He was united in marriage to Sharon Walters on June 24, 1961, at the Presbyterian Church in Rossville, IA. The couple were blessed with four wonderful children.
Bob was in Implement Sales for 60 years. In his early years, he was a member of the National Guard, worked at Quaker Oats and owned the Case Dealership in Waukon. The couple moved to Elkader in 1963, where he worked for his Uncle Gene, and sold Allis-Chalmers equipment. From 1965 to 1986, he owned and operated Halverson Implement. From 1972 to 1978, he was also the GM dealer in Elkader. In 1989, he began work for Bodensteiner Implement and worked there until his retirement on December 28, 2016.
He was an avid baseball player, playing at Lansing High School as well as the University of Iowa. Bob was instrumental in building the golf course in Elkader, coached little league, and was active in his church, Peace United Church of Christ, where he served as past council President. He served on the Central Community School Board in the 1980’s to early 1990’s for a period of six years. He was a University of Iowa football season ticket holder for 40 years.
Bob enjoyed watching his grandchildren in their sports, scouting events and church activities, and took great pride in his six grandchildren. He attended many Iowa Hawkeye Bowl games which turned into family vacations.
Survivors include his wife Sharon of Elkader; his children, Kyle Robert Halverson of Waukon, Eric Thomas (Angie) Halverson of Ft. Dodge, Kevin Michael Halverson of Omaha, NE and Melissa Ann (Zach) Bonnette of Elkader; six grandchildren, Lynsey, Shane, Graysen, Madysen, Mackenzie and Trey; three brothers, Thomas (Ann) of New Hampton, Vern (Cindy) of Ft. Myers, FL, Ron (Sandy) of Des Moines; two sisters, Jan (Curt) Brandsmeier of Waukon, and Mary (Leon) Nelson of Cedar Falls; and several nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his in-laws, Lowell and Violet Walters.
Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at Peace United Church of Christ in Elkader.
Funeral Service: 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at Peace United Church of Christ in Elkader.
Interment: East Side Cemetery in Elkader
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Elkader, Iowa is assisting the family.