Norman Goodwin "Tubby" Halverson

     Norman Goodwin Halverson, the son of Bennie Amal and Rena (Hansen) Halverson was born on February 11, 1927 in Linn Grove, IA. He received his early education  and was raised in the area. Following his education, he worked on the family farm before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He entered into the military on April 26, 1944. He served during WWII on the USS Heermann. The ship entered service  in 1943 and took part in several battles during WWII in the Pacific theatre of operations, including the Philippines campaign, Battle off Samar and the Battle of Iwo Jima among others. Heermann gained fame during the “last stand of the Tin Can Sailors” in which several other destroyers of Task Unit 77.4.3 (“Taffy 3”) engaged a far superior Japanese task force during the Battle off Samar in October 1944. Norman also received the World War II Victory Medal. After serving two tours of duty,  Norman was honorably discharged on June 20, 1946.

     On June 11, 1950, Norman married Charlotte Van Houten at the First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids. Following their marriage the couple farmed in the Sioux Rapids area for many years. Norman was a member of the First Lutheran Church and the American Legion. He also enjoyed singing around the Sioux Rapids area in the Barbershop Quartet and with his brothers Junior, Bendix and Honroe. Norman also liked to renovate houses over the years and in 1997, he sold his farm and his machinery and moved into town and did it fulltime. He and Charlotte also had a trailer at the lakes and enjoyed spending many summers up there boating with their family. Norman also enjoyed traveling, especially to Norway.

     Norman married Jean Tielbur later in life and they lived in Spencer. He was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church. He and Jean spent many winters in Mission, Texas enjoying the social life and warm weather.

He passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2020, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, at the age of 93. He was preceded in death by his parents; both of his wives; his brothers: Don, Honroe, Virgil, Bendix, Junior and Emmett; his two sisters: Nellie Sunblad and Helen Andersen.

     Left to cherish his memory are his sons: Kent (Glennis) Halverson of Alta, IA and Brian (Denise) Halverson of Sioux Rapids, IA; his grandchildren: Mindy Riley, Tara (Matt) Meyer, Jennifer (Jeremy) Sumpter, Janell (Eric) Karsten and Garrett (Melissa) Halverson; his great grandchildren: Ryan, Peyton, Hailey, Devin, Ashlyn, Brinley, Landon, Carson, Ava and Silas; his step children: Cheri Woolery and her family and Monty Dammann and his family; other relatives and friends.

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