Michael Halvorson

Michael “Mike” Lee Halvorson, age 55, of Ortonville, MN, died at his home on June 11.

Mundwiler and Larson Funeral Home of Ortonville announces the death of Michael “Mike” Lee Halvorson, age 55, of Ortonville, MN, who died at his home on June 11.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 17, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Mound Cemetery in Ortonville.

Michael Lee Halvorson was born on February 23, 1967, to Hjalmar Halvorson, Sr. and Geraldine (Holmquist) Halvorson in Montevideo, MN. His family moved to Ortonville in 1978, where he attended school and graduated from Ortonville High School in 1985. Mike married Shay Starr on May 27, 2006, and they called Ortonville their home until his passing.

Mike was a master carpenter and “Jack of all Trades”. He could build a pole shed in two days; he could beautify a yard with his landscaping skills; he could use his carpentry skills on domestic projects as well as commercial construction.

Over the years, Mike worked at Dewey’s Lawn Care, Milbank House Movers, and Dallas I. Hanson Construction. He most recently worked at Hasslen Construction until his health deteriorated.

Mike’s sense of humor was legendary! He always had a joke to tell. But his favorite prank was scaring people with his wild antics and crazy masks. Mike loved to play cribbage have a good game. He loved camping, fishing, and a good beer. He cherished his family and loved to attend family reunions that that his sister, Lynda planned. Mike and Shay loved to travel. They travelled to South Carolina, New York, and he especially enjoyed the Black Hills. They also drove around the county, several times a week, just to get out of the house. They loved to drive the auto tour in the Big Stone Refuge, to see what wildlife they could view.

Mike is survived by his wife, Shay of Ortonville, MN; children: Amanda Halvorson of Watertown, SD; Abby (Travis) Lewandoski of Watertown, SD; Brittany (Jeremy) Hoff of Eureka, SD; Kylee Appel of Browns Valley, MN; and Devan Appel of Browns Valley, MN; Evan Starr of Ortonville, MN; and Jackson Zemke of Ortonville, MN; grandchildren: Braedyn, Bayn, Jerimany, Harlow, Harper, Miley, Jackson, E.J.; siblings: Arlys Schiesser of Ortonville, MN; Julie (Bob) Macziewski of Montevideo, MN; Lorrie (Keith) Laumann of Granite Falls, MN; Deb (Joe) Gartner of Golden Valley, MN; Dennis (Angie) Mueller of Alexander, ND; Lynda (Kevin) Ruschen of Alexandria, MN; Jimmer (Karen) Halvorson of Big Stone City, SD; John (Betty) Halvorson of Monticello, MN; Mickey (Tom) Christensen of Janesville, MN; Rod Halvorson of St. Paul, MN; and Wendy Steuck of Chokio, MN; sisters-in-law: Dianna Mueller and Melissa Starr; brother-in-law, Shawn Starr; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; special friends: Randy Schmieg and Mark Frost; and faithful companion, Belle Belle.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Hannah; brothers: Roger, Randy, Danny, Allan Mueller, Sr., Darwin “Dumpy” Mueller, Bob Halvorson, and Mark Halvorson; sisters: Sharyn Anderson, Carolyn Daigle, and Phyllis Schoenrock; brothers-in-law: Bud Anderson, Ralph Schiesser, and Bill Birmingham; nephew, Dustin Torkelson; mother-in-law, Bev (Thielke) Starr; and father-in-law, Paul Starr.