James Halverson
James Lynn Halverson, 77, of rural Monona died Saturday, May 6, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 13 from 1-3 p.m. at the Zion United Church of Christ fellowship hall in Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family.
Jim Halverson (also known as Gramps) was born December 26, 1945 at the Hall House in Waukon, the son of Lynn Charles and Virginia Maxine (Winter) Halverson. Jim was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville and graduated from Postville High School in 1963. In 1965, he moved to Cedar Rapids and worked as the night supervisor at Weyerhauser Company.
June 11, 1966, he married Julie Miene at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon; at that time, they bought a house in Cedar Rapids. With farming in their blood, they purchased a farm in Vinton and his parents’ cows. In 1969, they welcomed their first-born child. In 1974, with their second daughter on the way, they decided to buy a farm in rural Monona, where they currently reside. In 1980, they welcomed their son into the family.
In 1999, after their last child graduated, they sold the milking herd to focus on beef cows. Jim decided that farming wasn’t enough to keep him busy so in 2000, he went to work with Al Fogt pouring concrete, where at the age of 54, he ran circles around the young men. He continued to pour concrete and farm six different farms until around 2012, when he decided his son should start taking over the farm; he then went back to farming full-time.
Jim loved farming, primarily raising dairy and beef cows. He eventually expanded to goats, chickens, and exotic animals like alpacas; he also put in a pond with fish. Jim’s primary goal was to create adventures for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren on the farm, and he took them fishing and on gator rides.
He loved Massey Ferguson tractors, collected toy, pedal and full-sized tractors, and tried his hand at tractor and lawnmower repair and maintenance. Jim also liked helping Julie in her vegetable gardens and deer, mushroom and antique hunting. He was a member of Farm Bureau and Zion UCC.
He is survived by his wife, Julie, of rural Monona, his three children: Jackie (Randy Nesbit) Halverson of Waukon, Jodie (Glenn) Manning of Waukon and Jon (Elizabeth) Halverson of Monona; his grandchildren: Brandon (Abby) Bublitz, Breanna (Justin) Sommer, Hope (Spencer) Manning, Makayla Manning, Sabrina (Charlie) Manning, Whitney (Zakk) Manning, and Hayden, Hailey and Harper Halverson; four great-grandchildren: Ethan and Evelyn Bublitz, and Jerrison and Janessa Sommer; his siblings: Gloria Dertinger, Susan Hangartner, Sherry Bechtel, Bonnie (Ken) Iseli, Gail (Jim) Connor, Kim (Kevin) Honn, June Brandsmeier, Jerry Halverson, Lynn (Sally) Halverson, Jr. and Al (Sandy) Halverson; a brother-in-law, Richard (Faith) Miene; and several nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Jay, Scot and Tony Halverson, and three brothers-in-law, Don Hangartner, Dean Bechtel and Arvey Miene.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
