BRONC MEMORIAL

HENRY L. (and Frances) HALVERSON ~ Class of 1941
June, 14, 1921 - June 10, 2012



~~

Henry L. Halverson passed away at home on June 10, 2012 followed by the love of his life, Frances M. Halverson on June 16, 2012. They journeyed into heaven together, just as they lived their lives.

Henry was born June 14, 1921 in St. Joe, MO. His family moved to South Dakota for a time and ended up in Richland with the promise of work. Henry graduated from Richland High in 1941.

Frances Uhling was born in the family farmhouse in Keuterville, ID on December 15, 1922. She was the only girl and grew up surrounded by seven brothers. Her family moved to Burbank and farmed there until moving to Walla Walla due to the construction of the McNary Dam. Frances attended Burbank High School and graduated in 1940.

He was a member of Roosevelt's C.C.C. and proudly served in the US Navy during WWII. He was a truck driver by trade and loved to tinker and improve anything mechanical. She was a homemaker, dedicated Catholic and the family's cheerleader.

Henry and Frances met a dance in Burbank. After getting approval from her numerous brothers, they were married in St. Patrick's Church in Pasco on October 5, 1943. Their world focused on family: his, hers and the one they created together. They had five children spread over 20 years. There were numerous summer vacations on the road and weekends spent cutting firewood, camping, fishing, hunting and working the farm. Several of these special moments Dad filmed on his eight millimeter Keystone camera. Mom spent a lot of her time in the kitchen mixing up tasty food and incredible pies and raising her children to be good Catholics. Christmas was a special time of year at the Halverson home in Pasco where they lived since 1946. Mom made fudge and sugar cookies and spent hours setting up her extensive Christmas village which grew bigger every year. Dad concentrated on the outside display which included lights, statues and inflatable decorations. It truly was a sight to see. After attending Mass, everyone would gather Christmas morning for stockings, presents and of course, more food.

 Their later years were spent with daily walks along the river, watching the Mariners and old westerns, doing word searches and reading. Their highlight, besides family get-togethers, was gambling. Mom was crushed when the casino slot machines converted to electronic tickets rather than nickels. She loved getting her fingers black and staying up all night. You could never be sure how much Dad won or lost, since he kept a secret stash of money to cover his losses.

Henry and Frances are survived by their children: Rose (Bob) Kirby of Newport, Steve (Kris) Halverson of Sun City, AZ, Rita (Ken) Quast, Nils (Starla) Halverson and Susan (Ben) Volk all of Pasco, WA. There are also 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren and counting. Having our parents pass so close together has been difficult, but it is the only way they wanted it after 68 years of marriage. The longest they were apart, besides military duty, was when Dad went hunting for two weeks in the fall. So it is no surprise that Mom went to be with Jesus only six days after Dad. We can truly say that Mom died of cancer and Dad of a broken heart when he knew Mom's time with us was short.

A vigil was held Thursday, June 21st followed by the Rosary at Hillcrest Bruce Lee Memorial. A Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick's Parish on June 22, 2012 followed by inturment with military honors at City View Cemetery in Pasco.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Patrick's Church or Hospice at the Chaplaincy in their honor.

Express your thoughts and memories in the online guest book at Hilldrest Memorial Center