Arla Halverson

Arla Halverson, age 88, of Decorah died Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at her home in Decorah. Services were held Sunday, September 16 at Decorah Lutheran Church, Decorah with Rev. Brenda Crossfield officiating.

Arla Alvina (Johnson) Halverson was born September 6, 1930, the daughter of Julian “Jack” and Beatrice (Hillestad) Johnson in Decorah. She graduated from Decorah High School and later attended college in Cedar Falls for teaching.

In 1952 Arla married Neale Downing at the Glenwood Lutheran Church outside of Decorah and together they had three children. She taught at country schools in Glenwood Township for a few years before moving to the Chicago area in 1958. In 1975 she married Dale Halverson in LaGrange, IL. Arla worked at Lyons Township High School as a special education teacher until retiring in the mid-90s.

She and Dale wintered in Florida after retirement.  They held season tickets to the Wisconsin Badger Football games for 19 years and attended two Rose Bowls in Pasadena, CA. They also enjoyed golfing together. Arla loved to play Bridge, watch the Chicago Cubs play and take walks. She enjoyed going to the pool in the summer and also enjoyed watching her grandchildren play sports. She loved spending time with her family and with Dale’s children and grandchildren. She was a member of Decorah Lutheran Church and was a member of the ladies circle.

Arla is survived by her children: Steve (Deb) Downing of Decorah, Jolene (Kevin) Cagney of Cornelius, NC and Amy Downing of Lansing; Dale’s children: Heather (Bill) Ryan of LaGrange, IL and Dale “Chip” (Tina) Halverson of Huntington Beach, CA; her grandchildren: Dan, Kevin and Brian Downing, and Brendan, Kristin and Patrick Cagney; Dale’s grandchildren: Bill (Brittany), Patrick, Michael, Mary Claire and Margaret Ryan, and Nicole and Blake Halverson; her sister, Phyllis (Loren) Blumhagen of Council Bluffs; and her nieces and nephews.

Arla was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Halverson; and her parents, Julian “Jack” and Beatrice (Hillestad) Johnson.