Gunder E. "Eldon" Halvorsen

Eldon Halvorsen, 90, died in Mount Vernon on February 21,

2011.

Eldon Halvorsen, 90, died in Mount Vernon on February 21, 2011. He was born in Friday Harbor on June 4, 1920, the son of Gunder and Adah (Armstrong) Halvorsen. He grew up in Friday Harbor and attended school there. He left for the mainland at an early age to try to find work during the depression. In 1944 he married Carol Grenier and they lived mostly in the Redmond, WA and Nisqually, WA areas until 1953 when they moved back to Friday Harbor to live on the family farm and raise their family. In 1966 they moved to Sedro-Woolley where they resided for the next 19 years. When Eldon retired in 1985 he and he wife moved to Ephrata, WA where he lived until 2006. At that time he went to live with his daughter in Mount Vernon and resided there until his death. During his lifetime Eldon worked for a short time as a butcher and a logger but mostly he milked cows professionally and farmed. He had a milk cow and raised calves well into his 80's. He loved animals and always had at least two or three dogs and a cat. Eldon was a people person. He loved to tell stories and had a delightful sense of humor. He liked nothing better than to get in his pickup, along with his dog, and go to sale barns and visit with other farmers. He could always be counted on to help a neighbor or friend. He is survived by one daughter, Gerine (and husband, Joe) Voegtlin; her two sons, Todd and Scott DeRosier; one son, Martin Halvorsen; one sister, Geraldine Lawson; one niece, two nephews and several great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Marie Boe; and Carol, his wife of 54 years who passed away in 1999. Per Eldon's wishes there will be no services. Please make memorial donations to the Humane Society of Skagit County, 18841 Kelleher Rd, Burlington, WA 98233 or to your favorite charity. Arrangements were under the care of Kern Funeral Home.