Ernest M. Halvorson, 95, of Aberdeen, WA passed away on January 18th, 2011 at Grays Harbor Health and Rehab Center in Aberdeen.
Ernest was born on December 12, 1915, the first son of Nicholas and Anna (Strand) Halvorson on the family farm near Maddock, North Dakota. His twin sister, Gladys, was born first and Dr. Moeller charged $50 for the double home delivery.
Ernest attended local schools and excelled in his studies. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at North Viking Lutheran Church in Maddock, ND.
He worked on the family farm, then joined the Merchant Marines in 1940. He sailed on the Great Lakes until our entry into WWII and then on the Pacific Ocean hauling war supplies to the troops until the end of the war. He graduated from U.S. Maritime Service Officers School at Fort Trumbull, New London, CT in July of 1944.
He married Evelyn E. Tonn in 1945 and they made their home in Portland, Oregon where Ernie began working in construction. They returned to North Dakota to help out on the Halvorson family farm at the request of his father. 1949 brought a move to Riverdale, ND where Ernie joined the Corps of Engineers and worked on the construction of Garrison Dam. In 1950 he transferred to the VA Hospital in Minot, ND and worked there as Plant Engineer until his retirement in 1973. Ernie and Evelyn raised their six children—Janice, Dale, Bruce, Nancy, Paul and Jeff—in a happy, little house in neighborhood full of good people. They were charter—and very active—members of Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church.
The move to Hoquiam, WA in 1974 provided Ernie with the chance to run his own business. He owned and operated an apartment building for 17 years.
Ernie was not one to dwell on the past. Planning for the future and working hard to get things done was always more important. “Well, tomorrow…” was a favorite phrase.
Surviving family includes: five children, Dale (Jackie) Halvorson, of University Place, WA, Bruce Halvorson, of Olympia, WA, Nancy (Dale) Henson, of Aberdeen, WA, Paul Halvorson, of Spokane, WA and Jeff (Laura) Halvorson, of Vancouver, WA; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Thelma Zimmerman, of Sparta, WI.
Preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Evelyn; one daughter, Janice Cox; sisters, Marget Halvorson, Thora Brink, Gladys Westrick, Violet Halvorson; brothers, Arden, Clarence, Fred, Lloyd and Norman Halvorson.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen. A reception will follow at 2:00 pm at the Guesthouse Inn in Aberdeen. 701 East Heron, across the street from the Ford Dealership.
A card of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are through Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.

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