“Papa” passed away on Dec. 14 surrounded by family members who loved him deeply.
Gene Otto Halverson, 82, was born on Jan. 22, 1931, to Frances (Boettcher) and Irving Percival Halverson in Racine. He attended Holy Name Grade School and was a graduate of St. Catherine’s High School, Racine. He also attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
On Nov. 3, 1951, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth Florence Hisey at Holy Name Church in Racine. They made their home in Racine and Browns Lake in Burlington. Together they had three sons. They enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Shortly before their marriage he joined the Navy. Gene served as a hospital corpsman in Philadelphia. He was very proud of his service and spoke of it often.
Gene was the owner of Saveway Lumber and Halverson Home Builders with his father. Together they built over 3,000 homes and developed numerous subdivisions in the City of Racine and the surrounding area. He served as president of the Racine-Kenosha Home Builders Association, was a board member of the National Association of Homebuilders, and was instrumental in the founding of the Home Owner’s Warranty Program.
Later in life Gene spent his summers at Browns Lake and his winters in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, his second home. Papa enjoyed spending time with family and friends, the sunsets (he said the best were at Browns Lake), watching Jeopardy (with Gram) and a good margarita.
He will be missed by his family and his friends both here and in Puerto Vallarta.
Papa is reunited in heaven with his loving wife, his parents and his baby brother Jim.
He has many to carry on his spirit of enjoying life, including his sons Bryan, Jef (Judy), and Chris (Laurie), his wonderful grandchildren, Jennifer (Matt) Tradewell, Claire “The Bear,” Andy and Ryan Halverson, Jason (Denise) Bader, Samantha (Scott Schlesner) Bader; his great grandchildren, especially Grace and Ben Tradewell and Brian Childers; and nieces and nephews.
Vaya con Dios, Papa! We pray that you and Gram are enjoying a margarita together on a beach somewhere in heaven. Salude!
Visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 17, at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home, Burlington, from 4-8 p.m. Committal Service will be Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 9 a.m. at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery in Union Grove.
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