Herb was born January 13, 1933 to Albert and Emma (Hanson) Halvorson in Linden Township, Brown County. Herb’s mother died when he was four years old and he and his sister Iva were raised by their aunt Annie Hanson. Herb graduated from Madelia High School and attended the University of Minnesota, School of Agriculture, graduating in 1952. After serving two years in the United States Army he returned to the family farm in 1957. It was after returning home from the Army that Herb said he made the best decision in his life, to marry Madlyn Schneider of Sigel Township. They married on Nov. 9, 1957 and raised four children.

Along with farming, Herb enjoyed being active in the community. In 1964 he was elected to the Madelia Board of Education and served as Chairman from 1970, until he left the board in 1976. Herb and Madlyn purchased a livestock feed processing business in Madelia in 1967 that they renamed H & M Feeds. They ran this successful operation until they sold it in December 1976. In 1968, Herb began the first of twenty years lobbying in St. Paul and Washington, DC for many farm organizations, Farm Credit System, and business groups. From 1970 through 1982 he was elected to and held significant Board positions for both the Minnesota and the American Soybean Associations. From 1983 until 1989, Herb was appointed to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health and served as President from 1986-1988. He also was involved as a volunteer mediator in Minnesota for the Farm Mediation Program from 1986-1988. Herb served the people of Minnesota as the Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture from 1988 until 1992. From 1993 until 2000 Herb was the District Director for Congressman David Minge in Minnesota’s Second District. Throughout Herb’s career he continued to farm in partnership with his two sons in rural Hanska and was considered a neighbor by everyone in a sixty mile radius of the farm.

Herb was proud of his Norwegian heritage and enjoyed teasing his wife about her German heritage. He loved to travel and to read, especially about history. Herb always loved animals and throughout the years his farm had ducks and geese of many varieties, peacocks, pheasants, quail, goats, donkeys, raccoons and even a monkey, along with his beloved cats and a dog or two. He was a proud DFL party member, and he was concerned about the environment and the existence of the family farm. Herb had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh and tell stories about the practical jokes he and his friends played in their youth. He especially enjoyed telling stories about the past and it was important to him that his children and grandchildren knew his family’s history.

Herb is survived by his wife, Madlyn; sons, Jeff and his wife Julie of Madelia; John and his wife Gwynda of Hanska; and daughter Jennifer and her husband Greg of Arizona. Grandchildren Josh, Jay, Jared, Kayla, Cole and Alicia. Great-grandchildren Jaxson and Corbin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Emma, his sister Iva, and his daughter Jane.

A private family service will be held at a later time. Cards can be sent to Halvorson Family at 20149 473rd Ave, Madelia MN 56062.

To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, to go: mvfh.org

The Minnesota Valley Funeral Homes of New Ulm are assisting the family with arrangements.

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