Rodney Duane Halvorsen, 85, of Kiester died Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, at St. John’s Lutheran Community in Albert Lea. A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Grace United Methodist Church in Kiester. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, and will continue one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Kiester and the Rev. Cherie Daniel will officiate. Please see www.brussheitner.com to leave online condolences. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home of Wells is assisting the family.

Rodney Duane was born Jan. 28, 1929, the son of Leo and Laura (Oyer) Halvorsen.

He married Barbara Smith on April 9, 1950, in Albert Lea. Rodney farmed for many years in the Twin Lakes and Kiester areas and worked at Wilson & Co. for 34 years. He was also a milkman, policeman and school bus driver in Kiester, and was a charter member of the Kiester Rescue Squad. Rodney liked fishing in Utah and South Dakota, golfing and bowling. Rodney and Barbara wintered in Texas for 14 years. He enjoyed taking his family on vacations, dancing and polka music. Rodney was also an avid reader and liked crosswords. He also enjoyed watching the birds out his window.

Rodney is survived by his wife, Barbara; children Nancy (Paul) Klingbeil of Ham Lake, Rodney Jr. (Sue) Halvorsen of Fairmont, Shelby Battleson of Albert Lea, Marcy (Rick) Nyholm of Woodbury, Julie Elvebak of Kiester, Audrey (Mike) Henkel of Kiester and Gayle (John) Peña of Lake Mills; grandchildren Timothy (Elizabeth) Klingbeil, Hannah Klingbeil, Hillary (Michael) Milner, Caleb Klingbeil, Andrew (Melissa) Halvorsen, Garrett (Jolene) Halvorsen, Jon Battleson (fiance, Chris), Mary Allen, Theresa (Paul) Sullivan, Statler Frydenlund, James Frydenlund, Jason Sprecher (special friend, Jenna), Jurnee Peña (special friend, Eric) and Mateo Peña; siblings Leo “Bud” Halvorsen, Ingri (Russ) Krech and Mescal Gooden; brothers-in-law Gary (Rita) Smith, Cyrus Pollema and Benny Tufte; numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters Doris Woynowskie and Maxine Halvorsen; brother, Paul Halvorsen; sisters-in-law Alma Halvorsen, Rose Halvorsen, Mona Pollema, Betty Tufte and Darlene Halvorsen; brothers-in-law Ed Woynowskie, Donald Gooden, Jack Smith, Donald Smith and Bob Smith; grandchildren Heather Battleson and Justin Battleson; and son-in-law, Rodney Elvebak.