Bernadette A. (Bernie) Halvorson, of East Dubuque, IL, passed away at home surrounded by her family on December 9, 2023, at the age of 82.

Visitation will be on Thursday, December 14, 2023, from 4 to 8 PM, with a rosary at 4 PM, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 170 Montgomery Avenue, East Dubuque, IL. A visitation will also be held from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, on Friday, December 15, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM, on Friday, December 15, 2023, at St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. Richard Halvorson presiding. The burial will follow at East Dubuque Cemetery. The Miller Funeral Home of East Dubuque is assisting the family.

Bernadette was born on June 5, 1941, in Lansing, Iowa. She was the daughter of Stanley and Velma (Knickerbocker) Walleser, who preceded her in death. She grew up on a farm in a family of five brothers and nine sisters. She attended St. George Catholic High School in Lansing, graduating in 1959.

Bernadette married Richard C. Halvorson, on June 30, 1959, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing, IA. Together they raised nine children in East Dubuque. Bernadette's life was a labor of unselfish love dedicated to maintaining a stable and nurturing home environment for her family. She was also employed at Area Residential Care for 21 years after raising her children.

Bernadette was a woman of deep faith and abiding prayer. She was unwavering in her practice of the Catholic faith and strived daily to reverence life through numerous unselfish acts of charity for others. She was also an accomplished cook and baker. She enjoyed hosting a house full of people, her motto was the more the merrier. She could whip-up a delicious and nourishing meal in a moments-notice, and all ate and were satisfied. We would be remised not to mention, that Bernie enjoyed telling/sharing a good story, and giving frank advice—if you wanted it or not—but her intent was always sincere and heartfelt.

Bernadette is survived by her husband of 64 years, Richard; her children: Rev. Richard Halvorson, Randy (Mary Beth) Halvorson, Renee LeGrand, Roxane (Ken) Brown, Rob (Karen) Halvorson, Roger Halvorson, Rhonda (Joe) Schlickman, and Ryan (Shaunna) Halvorson; daughter-in-law, Nancy (Lynn) Utesch; 27 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren. Siblings: Clement (Judy) Walleser, Betty Schedivy, Donna Johnson, Alice Koeller, Henrietta "Daisy" Bauman, John (Jean) Walleser, Helenjean Walleser, Virginia Hendrickson, Susanna (Ronald) Brudos, Edward (Vivian) Walleser, Mary Jo (Armand) Bringe, Kevin (Anne Elwing) Walleser, and Margaret (John) McDonah; and sister-in-law Shirley Walleser.

She is preceded in death by her son, Russell Halvorson; her brother, Stanley (Buck) Walleser; father-in-law, Herbert Halvorson and mother-in-law, Lorine (Johnson) Halvorson.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com