Richelle Lea Halverson, age 52 of Decorah, Iowa, passed away Sept. 10, 2020, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis. She was taken too young, after a decade-long battle with a rare blood disorder that proved to be too much for her body.
In consideration of concerns regarding Covid-19 and everyone’s well-being, a Memorial Service for Family and Close Friends was held Sept. 16, 2020, at Decorah Lutheran Church with Rev. Peter Kowitz ‘98 officiating.
A Celebration of Life for Richelle was held at Silvercrest Golf and Country Club.
Richelle was born in Decorah, Iowa, on May 2, 1968, to Douglas and Donna Halverson. She was baptized at First Lutheran Church and confirmed at Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church. Richelle graduated from Decorah High School in the class of 1986. She then attended Luther College majoring in accounting and minoring in economics and psychology and graduated in 1990. During her career, she served as the Executive Director of the Decorah Chamber of Commerce and held a number of positions in accounting, insurance and office management, including owning her own agency. Richelle served on the Sunflower Child Care board as the Treasurer, Nordic Fest Board as both President and Treasurer, a member of the P.A.W.S. board and was active with Nordic Dancers.
In 1996 she married Jay Jermier to which three children were born, Madelyn, Zachary and Blake. They later divorced. She spent the last 13 years sharing a life with Mike Voltmer ‘74. Together they have raised and guided the children in their many activities. Madelyn is a senior at The University of Iowa, Zachary in 11th grade and Blake in 10th grade in Decorah.
Richelle loved nothing more than to channel her past cheerleading days to support her children at their sporting events. Whether it was Madelyn at swimming or choir, Zachary at football or soccer, or Blake at football, basketball, track or Nordic Dancing – she was their biggest fan. You could always count on Richelle to show up, perhaps a little late, but in style, with a smile and a funny story about getting there.
Richelle’s passions, besides family and friends, included her beloved Basenjis. She could never leave the house without them jumping in the car. She also had a great love for the Norwegian and Spanish cultures. Richelle and Mike made countless trips to their home in Cozumel, frequently stopping in Texas to see friends and dream of a warmer winter climate.
Richelle had a heart of gold. She loved living on an acreage where she could have dozens of bird feeders, room to save every stray cat and any suffering animal, places for her dogs to run, and constantly check on the steers to see if Mike was raising them correctly.
She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Her vibrant spirit shall live on in her three beautiful children.
Richelle is survived by Mike, her children Madelyn, Zachary and Blake all of Decorah, stepson Gerad (Denise) Voltmer, and children Ridgeway, Iowa, stepdaughter Anna Voltmer, Minneapolis. Father, Douglas Halverson, Decorah; Siblings, Brent (Jill) Halverson, Waukon, Iowa; Dana (Mark) Carolan, Decorah, Iowa; Joel Halverson ‘09 (Cyndi), Choctaw, Okla.; Nieces and Nephews, Leslie Halverson, Nathan Halverson, Ava Carolan, Gavin Carolan, Luke Halverson and Luci Halverson. Paternal Grandmother, Geneva Halverson, Ossian, Iowa, many special aunts and uncles and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her mother Donna Halverson, siblings Michelle and Bradley in infancy, Maternal grandparents Walter and Gladys Lundy, Paternal grandfather, Roland Halverson, aunts and uncles, Judith Hovey, Dale and Norma Lundy, William Headington, cousin Scott Halverson.
Memorials may be given to the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa (HSNEI), 2345 Millennium Road, Decorah, IA 52101 or Nordic Fest, P.O. Box 364, Decorah, IA 52101.