Arlys Halverson

Arlys Marie Boesch was born on May 23, 1923, in Blue Earth County, MN and died on September 11, 2022, at the age of 99 in her home near Truman, MN.  She was the first born child of Richard and Olinda (Karau) Boesch.  Arlys was baptized on June 17, 1923, by Rev. H. R. Wrede and her sponsors were Alvin Karau and Emma Oberdieck.  She was confirmed on April 26, 1936, by Rev. W. C. Rumsch at Zion Lutheran Church in Lewisville, MN, and her confirmation verse was, “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” Colossians 3:17. 

Arlys’s grade school years were at Fieldon Parochial School, Antrim Parochial School, and Watonwan County Country School.  She graduated from Truman High School in 1940 as valedictorian of her class.  Following graduation, Arlys attended Mankato Commercial College for secretarial training. She was employed at Boesch Insurance Agency in 1942 and various other times.  Arlys did other miscellaneous secretarial work including Gilmore Glass in Fairmont and then became the legal secretary to Bruce A. Krahmer, Attorney in Fairmont for 22 years until she retired in 1988.

On April 3, 1943, Arlys married her high school sweetheart, Luverne “Herky” Halverson, at Grace Lutheran Church in Visalia, CA by Rev. Ernest Mueller.  Luverne was stationed in Visalia earning his wings and being commissioned to fly the B-17 in WWII.  Herky and Arlys were married almost 65 years.

After residing in Amboy for a brief time following the War, Arlys and Luverne moved to their Truman farm in 1945 and lived there the rest of her life.  Arlys was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Truman, a member of Ruth Circle and was the Sunday School Treasurer for 25 years.  She was also a Sunday School substitute teacher.

Arlys enjoyed doing puzzles and embroidery, and in her younger years she did beautiful sewing.  Together, Arlys and Herky loved antiques, auctions, flea markets, and rummage sales. 

Arlys is survived by daughters, Candace Doerfler of Lancaster, CA, Heidi (Thomas) Koeritz of Northrop, MN, and son, Scott (Dawn) Halverson of Truman, MN.  Grandchildren, Lindsey O’Loughlin, Lance (Kristin) Halverson, Hayley (Paul) Luther, and Mason Koeritz.  Great Grandchildren, Seth and Elijah Halverson, Jackson and Gavin O’Loughlin, and Grant Luther.  Brothers, James (Marion) Boesch, and Thomas (Linda) Boesch.  Sisters, Lois (Richard) Dethloff, Juleen Gollwitzer, and Kathy (Garland) Hendricksen.  Sisters-in-law, Jeanne Boesch and Joan Hoelmer Martin, and brother-in-law, Marlen (Ginger) Halverson.  She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  It’s been said that at one time Arlys had 64 first cousins.

Arlys was preceded in death by her husband, Luverne “Herky” Halverson in 2008, her parents, Richard and Olinda (Karau) Boesch, her in-laws, Lloyd and Linda (Reis) Halverson,  brother, Merlyn Boesch, brother-in-law, Dr. Herman Gollwitzer, brother-in-law, Kenneth Halverson, son-in-law, Dr. Warren Doerfler, and an infant brother.

Visitation will be at Zaharia Funeral Home in Truman from 5pm – 7pm on Thursday, September 29, 2022. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the funeral service which will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Truman on Friday, September 30, 2022, at 11:00am with Rev. Timothy Chase officiating, and a Christian burial following at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Truman.

Memorials are preferred to St. Paul’s Lutheran School (Truman, MN), St. James Lutheran School (Northrop, MN), or Martin Luther High School (Northrop, MN).