Orris Halvorson

Orris Halvorson, 77, Minot, ND, died Monday, September 14, 2009, at Trinity Homes in Minot.

Orris Halvorson was born June 29, 1932, a son of Gerhard and Ella (Anseth) Halvorson, in Rugby, ND. He was raised and educated in Rugby.

On April 21, 1963, he married Irene K. Mattern in Rugby. Orris started his career with Pleasant Lake Grain as a truck driver. Orris and Irene eventually became partners with Orris’s brother, Gerald, when they purchased Pleasant Lake Grain. In 1978, they moved to Minot, where he worked in the office buying and selling grain and specializing in screenings. In 1989, Orris and Irene became sole owners of Pleasant Lake Grain and the name was changed to Halvorson Grain and Feed. He continued to grow the business by expanding his truck inventory and had continued to buy and sell grain until 2003, when his wife, Irene passed away.

In 2004, he moved into Edgewood Vista and had continued to reside there until the time of his death.

Orris attended Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Minot.

In his younger years, he enjoyed spending the weekends at the lake with his four girls who kept him busy on the boat and with the various water activities. In the winter months, he enjoyed snowmobiling. In his later years, he enjoyed going to the casino, and taking care of his wife, Irene.

Surviving family includes: daughters, Sharon Berning (Jon Loiland), Grand Forks, Teri (Tom) Foley, Minot, Shelley (Bryan) Knight, Minot; and Tricia (Jamie) Halvorson Lunski, Grand Forks; grandchildren, Zachary Knight, Tess Thorp Foley, Lucas Knight, Landen Berning, Taylor Thorp Foley, Keenen Berning, Edison and Talan Lunski; brothers, Malcolm (Alice) Halvorson, Minot, and Gerald (Julianne) Halvorson, Rugby; sisters, Doris (Jim) Mason, Beverly Hills, FL, and Dalys (Bryan) Harper, Rugby; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ken (Wanda) Mattern, Rugby, Donna Winson, Superior, MT, Claytus (Ilene) Mattern, Rugby, and Diane (Ray) Burkhart, New Kensington, PA; and several nieces and nephews.?Orris was preceded in death by his mother and father; wife, Irene; mother-in-law and father-in-law; Elizabeth and Pete Mattern; son-in-law, Tim Thorp; and sister, Donna Olson.?Funeral: Thursday, September 17, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot. Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND. Visitation: Wednesday from Noon to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot. Prayer Service: Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to an organization of the donor’s choice.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).