Larry J. Halvorson

Larry James Halvorson, 77, passed away October 1, 2024 at the Brookeville House Assisted Living in Brookeville, Maryland after a long battle with advanced dementia. 

A memorial service will be held, 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 11, 2024 at First Lutheran Church of Mandan, 408 9th St NW, Mandan, ND. His ashes will be buried at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery in Mandan, ND.

Larry was born November 2, 1946, in his aunt’s home in Leeds, ND. He was the 6th and last-born son of George and Olga (Eriksmoen) Halvorson. He graduated from Leeds High School in 1965. He attended Lake Region Junior College in Devils Lake and graduated from North Dakota State University (NDSU) with a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Economics in 1969. 

He raised registered angus cattle during his high school and college years and was a life member of the American Angus Association. Larry was employed with the NDSU Extension Service as an Assistant County Agent for Benson County from November 1969 through January 1971. He briefly served as a Peace Corp volunteer in Iran before enlisting in the U.S. Army in November 1971. He served at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii and was honorably discharged in November 1973. In March of 1974, Larry was employed as a loan officer for the Production Credit Association of Mandan at their Wishek location and became its Branch Manager a year later. While in Wishek, Larry was a member of the Wishek Jaycees, Wishek Chamber of Commerce, Wishek Sauerkraut Committee, the Wishek Lions Club and was a 4-H Leader. 

In September of 1980, Larry transferred to the Farm Credit Services main office in Mandan, ND as a Senior Loan Officer. He married Betty Wanner in Wishek on November 1, 1980. He continued to work for Farm Credit Services of Mandan for 30 years, retiring in May 2004. He was active in many community organizations including the Mandan West River Lions Club, Mandan Chamber of Commerce, Mandan FFA Advisory Committee, American Legion, United Way, and the Kiwanis Club. He received the Honorary FFA Chapter Award from Wishek in 1979 and also from the Mandan FFA Chapter in 1984. He was a member of the Mandan Elks Club for many years. He also served on the Burleigh/Morton County Chapter Board of the American Red Cross. After a brief period of retirement, he also worked for Cornerstone Banks and the Bank of the West in eastern ND. He was a volunteer member of SCORE and he also volunteered at the VA Hospitals in Fargo, ND; Sioux Falls, SD; and Long Beach, California in his retirement. He received the Councilor of the Year Award from the Fargo Score Chapter in 2009. He also was a member of the American Disabled Veterans Organization.

He loved hunting geese and pheasants, along with fishing. Visiting with friends over coffee was a daily event for him. He was interested in politics and especially in studying the lives of the Presidents. He collected both old and current presidential coins and medallions. He enjoyed travel and was able to visit many areas of the world (at least 25 different countries). Larry will be highly remembered for his interest in others and willingness to help them. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. A very special joy was his daughter and her many achievements.

Larry is survived by his wife, Betty; daughter, Dana (Jared) Ritchie and grandchildren, Brooks and Kennedy of Maryland. He is also survived by his brother, Richard (Sharon) Halvorson of Austin, Texas. He has 10 nieces and nephews. His parents and four brothers preceded him in death. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation via check to The North Dakota FFA Foundation P.O. Box 6022 Bismarck, ND 58506 or at  https://www.ndffafoundation.com/in-memory/.