Obituary of Mervin (Merv) Halvorson

September 16, 1930 – Spalding, Saskatchewan
February 12, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

Beloved husband of Lily Shearer (d. 2017) who was the love of his life for 65 years.  He was a loving father to Karen (Tom) and Brent, grandfather to Christine(Michael), Jason, Jenna and Steven and great-grandfather to Benjamin and Oliver.  Mervin was predeceased by his four siblings; Harvey, Emmett, Gladys and Ray.  He is survived by his in-laws; Ruby and Jack, Agnes and Laurie, Yolande and is “Uncle Merv” to a host of nieces and nephews.

Mervin was born on a farm near Spalding Saskatchewan, the middle son to Arne and Emma Halvorson.  When not milking cows or doing chores he played hockey in winter, baseball in summer and enjoyed swimming or fishing at nearby Lake Edward.  As a teenager he worked for a house moving company and Spalding County operating heavy machinery.  In 1950, Merv moved to Calgary operating graders for the City of Calgary.  Before he left, Mervin had fallen in love with Lily Shearer.  He uniquely proposed with an engagement ring sent in the mail.  They married in Spalding during a hilacious snowstorm March 17^th, 1952.  The newlyweds took up permanent residence in Calgary and in 1954 purchased a house in Parkdale which was their home until Lily’s death.

Merv lived a simple life and avoided the spotlight preferring to leave that to Lily.  His farming roots defined his life; self-reliance, hard-work, thrift, family first and if it is broke – fix it – until you cannot fix it anymore, then…fix it again!  He could make a single cigar last all day, a dram of scotch was his favourite “medicine”, he drank three-day old cold coffee because you can’t waste it and could not drive past a garage sale. 

He was a proud Canadian, especially proud of his Norwegian heritage.  He enjoyed sports, supporting the home-town Flames and Stampeders (while secretly cheering for the Saskatchewan Roughriders).  Summer vacations, often with nephews Scott and Brian, were spent at Wasa Lake in BC.

He retired after 35 years with the City in 1985 and for the next 20 years, Merv and Lily were snowbirds in Mesa Arizona playing golf, making life-long friends, and exploring the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and Mexico.  Christmas in Mesa became a special time especially when the grandchildren came (accompanied by their parents).  They began travelling; a beach resort in Cuba, and Alaskan Cruise and a bus tour of the Maritimes.  Merv’s favourite trip was in 2010 when with Lily and grand-daughter Christine, visited their ancestral homes in Norway and Scotland respectively.  He took great pride walking the grounds of the family farm in Norway which is still inhabited by Halvorsons.  Back home he was active in the Parkdale Nifty Fifty’s club, played golf at Water Valley and ushered at Foothills Lutheran Church along with helping set up the annual garage sale and spring clean-up of the church grounds. 

In later years Mervin suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and following Lily’s passing took up residence in care facilities living his last two years in the Colonel Belcher, a few blocks from his beloved Parkdale home.  A lifelong Lutheran, he lived his faith quietly and reverently.  He was kind and gentle, slow to anger, with a wry wit, infectious smile and ingratiating giggle.  He treated people with dignity and respect and didn’t make enemies.  He was an easy man to love and will be missed by us all. 

A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Halvorson’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos may also be shared and viewed there.

Special thanks to the staff of the Colonel Belcher for their wonderful care of Merv in his final days. If friends or family so desire memorial tributes may be made directly to Calgary Health Trust (which supports the Colonel Belcher), https://carewest.ca/donating/.  

In living memory of Merv Halvorson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.

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