In Loving Memory

Halldor Halldorson

Memorial Celebration

Monday, April 2nd

4:00 p.m.

Mozart Community Hall

Halldor Verni was born to Kris & Borga Halldorson on July 31, 1935 at the Austfjord farm, north of Mozart. Halldor, and his older brother Richard, attended Little Quill School and Mozart School.

Halldor was a farm boy through and through, pursuing alternate work opportunities as they suited, while continuing to farm alongside Richard. He initially drove school bus, eventually adding to his work experience as a Pulp Truck Driver, Mechanic, Town Police Officer, DNR Enforcement Officer, DNR Seeder, and Security Guard.  In spite of all of these undertakings, his heart always circled back around to the land. In 1956, at age 21, he bought his first parcel of land (the south quarter), working it with a much-loved WD9 tractor.

While working in Nokomis (Jan ’65) as the Town Police Officer, Halldor met, the lovely, Jean Kidd. They married in Dec 1969, moving to Viscount to work at the Noranda Potash Mine.

In 1972, Halldor and Jean moved to Wynyard.  Halldor would work in theWynyard Co-op Service Station, farming in his spare time.  Daughter, Paula Jan was born Oct ’72 (while Halldor was away moose-hunting).  A year later, with farm life always the dream, Halldor and Jean bought the “home quarter”, moving the family to the Mozart area and their home forthe next 41 years - and into farming full-time.  Daughter #2, Hallie Sianne, arrived in July ’75 (Halldor was present this time).

Once the girls were “mobile”, they happily travelled with their Dad whenever they could. With frequent visits to the Mozart Co-op Store, the Elevator, and the Wadena Auction Mart, the girls were well known and welcomed in Halldor’s circles.  Jan & Hallie also spent hours with their Dad up at “the shop” (one of his favorite places). Halldor was confident that most everything from machinery maintenance and sausage making to piercing ears (lol!), welding, and wood-working could be accomplished within the walls of the shop.  Halldor ensured his girls were well taken care of and fostered their independence by giving lessons on how to check oil, change tires, tool usage, and shooting (straight!). He took quiet pride in his girl’s (and later, his grandkid’s) academic & athletic accomplishments.

For both himself and friends, Halldor was creative and skillful mechanic and welder. He built the family’s first camp trailer, encouraging his girls to spend time at the lake in the summer.  In the later years, woodworkinginterests came to be.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping as leisure activities – and he was good at them all.  Great friendships were forged because of these interests, with the memories made held close to his heart. He always looked forward to the hunting draws and was continually contemplating future trips.  As his grandkids grew, Grandpa Halldor was thrilled to be able to teach Truett and Cassidy to shoot, laying the groundwork to eventually be able to hunt game larger than gophers.  Halldor operated the duck-feeding station on the pond near Little Quill Lake for many years.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife crews called the farm “home-base” for 20+ years, with Halldor regularly joining the crews while they banded ducks in the area.

Halldor loved his community. He volunteered countless hours to Mozart, serving on the Mozart Hall board; renovating & expanding the building;and supporting the community’s many events.  Memories of First Day of Summer & Hallowe’en dances always brought a smile.

In 2014, when age and health suggested it was time, Halldor and Jean reluctantly sold the farm and moved into Wynyard.

Halldor was predeceased by his parents, Kris and Borga, infant sister, and older brother, Richard. Halldor is survived by Jean, his loving wife of 48 years; daughter, Jan [David] Sorensen, grandchildren, Truett and Cassidy;daughter, Hallie;  sister-in-law, Carole Halldorson and his Halldorson niece and nephews;  brother-in-law Doug [Vonnie] Kidd and his Kidd nephews.

Donations in Halldor’s memory may be made to the Mozart Community Hall or the Mozart Pioneer Cemetery.