Torval & Eileen Halvorson

Torval (Torv) Halvorson, 99, passed away peacefully on Nov. 30, 2024 at the Beehive in Cut Bank. His two sons, Mark and Jay, were with him.

Torv was born Oct. 13, 1925 to Anna and Thorwald (TW) Halvorson in Conrad, Mont. He was the youngest of eight siblings. Torv grew up on the family homestead at Ledger enjoying fun times with his three brothers and four sisters. They all helped out with farm chores and liked to visit with the gypsies who would pass by on the train tracks.

Torv went to grade school at Ledger and later graduated from Conrad High School. After graduation, he joined the Marines. His parents had to sign for him as he was only 17. He served as a radio operator and remembered working with the "Code Talkers" on the island of Iwo Jima. He was one of the last survivors of the conflict. In 2013, Torv and his daughter Carla participated in the Honor Flight program traveling to Washington DC.

After the war, Torv took advantage of the GI bill to attend college at the University of Montana in Missoula, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation he hitchhiked home to Conrad deciding he wanted to go into farming. He and his brother Vern purchased some land west of Kevin to begin their adventure into the art and science of farming. Torv met his future wife Eileen at the Farm Services Administration in Shelby. She was taken by his beautiful blue eyes and unassuming manner. They got married in February 1952 and set about living life on the Kevin farm raising five children. They were involved in various school, church and community activities in Kevin and Sunburst. During that time, he was elected to the Board of Federal Land Bank Directors and was named Toole County Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year in 1958.

Torv enjoyed his visitors, playing Cribbage and sitting on the patio in the sunshine. He never complained about anything no matter how hard or painful life could be. Torval loved his family and farming and didn't need much more beyond that.

He will be remembered for his quiet kindness, humility and great sense of humor, "That's the best meal I ever ate."

Torval was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen; son, Douglas; and grandson, Bodie Gil Torval Halvorson.

He is survived by his daughters, Bonnie (Tom Barger) Arlee, and Carla (Lyle Mitchell) Columbia Falls; sons, Jay (Amber Anderson) and Mark of Kevin; and numerous great-grandkids, grandkids, and nieces and nephews.

 

Eileen Halvorson of Missoula passed away surrounded by all of her family on August 23, 2015 at Community Hospital. She was born in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 21, 1931 to Gus and Alice Hobbs.

Eileen met the love of her life Torval while working at the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service office in Shelby. They were married on February 3, 1952 in Shelby. They spent the majority of their life together on a farm near Kevin, MT where she worked at the Post office for 15 years. She was active in American Legion Auxiliary and the Lutheran Church. She served on the Sunburst School Board and was a "sports mom".

She was an avid reader. After moving to Missoula, she volunteered to listen to children read at Target Range School. She was also very knowledgeable in current events and politics and served as an elections officer in Kevin and Missoula.

Eileen loved her family and was proud of all their accomplishments. Her husband Torval, her children, and grandchildren were with her as she passed away to the sound of their songs and prayers. She is survived by her husband Torval, brother Philip Gaudet, children Bonnie (Tom) Barger, Doug Halvorson, Carla (Lyle) Mitchell, Mark (Marcy) Halvorson, Jay (Amber) Halvorson, ten grand children and seven great grand children.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents Alice and Gus, two sisters Bonnie Dyrdahl and Shirley Hoffman and her grandson Bodie. 

Services will be Saturday, April 12, at 10:00 am at Pondera Valley Lutheran Church.