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A trio of Halvorsons was in the spotlight recently as recipients of the 24th annual Norskedalen Award.
James and Joyce Halvorson of Holmen and James’ older brother, Carl Halvorson, were this year’s honorees for exceptional service to the Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center in Coon Valley. They received the honor April 19 at Norskedalen’s annual awards banquet at Drugan’s in Holmen.
James and Carl are the great-grandsons of some of the first pioneers to settle in Lower Coon Valley, so their interest in Norskedalen came naturally.
James and Carl grew up in the Stoddard area, as did Joyce, and they all graduated from La Crosse Central High School — Joyce (Miller) was valedictorian of the Class of 1953.
James, who retired in 1998 after 34 years as a pilot for Dairyland Power, is serving his 12th term on the Holland Town Board. Joyce taught elementary school for 38 years before spending 10 years supervising student teachers at Viterbo University.
James and Joyce, married since 1955, have two children, Stephen and Christine, and four grandchildren, Cassandra, James, Andrew and Clarissa. They’ve lived in rural Holmen since 1976.
Both James and Joyce have been active volunteers at Norskedalen, coordinating the annual threshing bee and serving as guides. James has served three terms on the Norskedalen board and is now board president. Joyce served three years on the board, including one as secretary, and she now serves on the board’s education committee.
The couple has made many trips to Norway and they have met relatives who had no idea what happened to their family members after 1848.
They also have had more than their share of visitors from Europe, having hosted 21 full-year exchange students.
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