Gaylord Harris Halverson

April 20, 1940 - May 1, 2015

Gaylord Harris Halverson passed into the eternal care of our Lord on May 1, 2015. He was 75 years old. He passed away at his home with his wife and children by his side. Gaylord was born in Yucatan Valley near Houston, MN on April 20, 1940 to Gynther and Gladena (Hoff) Halverson. He grew up on the family farm with his two sisters Harla and Renee. He was baptized and confirmed at the Stone Church in Houston. He walked to country school in Yucatan and attended there until the eighth grade. He graduated from Houston High School in 1958. After graduation he went to technical school in La Crosse to study mechanics. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in August of 1963. He married Mildred Onstad on December 28, 1963. They were stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma until his release from the Army in 1965. After his return from the Army, he was employed by Mobil in Caledonia and Four Square Coop in Spring Grove. In 1974 he purchased the school bus company from Ethel Morrison, which became Halverson Bus Service. He owned a charter bus and for 10 years transported many groups to many places. He was employed by Spring Grove Public Schools until 2004. His love of children kept him in the driver’s seat through many generations of school children. He retired from bus driving after 48 years in September of 2014. Gaylord never met a stranger. He could be found chatting with anyone at any time in any place. He loved to drive bus, especially if it involved hauling kids. His hobbies included restoring old tractors, reading and road trips. He loved to be in his shop working on a variety of projects, often involving a motor. His best times were with his family and friends. He is survived by his treasured wife of 51 years Milly, his children and grandchildren: daughter Missy and Duron Bratland, Kaitlin, Claire, and Kelsey of Spring Grove, MN; daughter Michelle and Brian Haupts, Gabe, Garrison, Elliott and Annie of Des Moines, IA; and son John and Jana Halverson, Julia and Joelle of Spring Grove, MN. He is further survived by his sisters Harla (John) Benson of Houston, MN and Renee (Mark) Kumpf of Ridgeway, IA; his in-laws Charles (LaVonne) Onstad, Sharon (Jim) Johnson and Jimmy (Audrey) Onstad, and brother of his heart Ken (Karen) Levos. He is also survived by many special nieces and nephews, and his many treasured fellow bus drivers and friends. He is preceded in death by his infant son Greg Harris, his parents Gynther and Gladena Halverson, step-father Alf Reierson, and his parents-in-law Arnold and Rosalie Onstad and Betty Onstad.