Warner R. Halverson

06/29/37 - 03/23/22

Family and friends are grieving the loss of a beloved teacher and photographer to Parkinson’s disease and cancer. Warner Halverson was born in Waupaca, WI on June 29, 1937 to Irene (Bonikowski) Halverson and Rolf Halverson. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Judith (Kelly) Halverson of Deerfield, WI. He passed quietly at home with Judith by his side. After graduating from Waupaca High School in 1955, Warner joined the Air Force on a four-year tour of duty. Stationed in Germany, he toured across Europe by motorcycle with friends. On his return home Warner, a tall and robust fellow worked for the Madison Silo Company on a crew constructing silos all over the Midwest. He earned money for college and graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point in 1965 with an Art Education degree. He taught art for three years at Beloit Turner High School. He returned to the University, this time in Milwaukee to earn a Master’s degree in art 1970. His professional career continued teaching high school art in Stevens Point at P.J. Jacobs High School, and also Stevens Point Area Senior High. Confident he could start a photography program for students, Warner found his own funding and opened that new section of the Art Department. Classes became so popular with students, it became his sole teaching subject. He chaired the Art Department and directed production of the high school yearbook for many years. He concurrently ran a photography business of his own, Halverson Photography and became popular for documenting the generations of Stevens Point families, with senior portraits, weddings and family portraits through the decades. For several summers in the early 1980’s he was the photographer for the Picture Post in Waupaca, where he boated around the Chain O’Lakes photographing families on vacation for the weekly tourist publication. Following his retirement from teaching in 1998, he dove in full time with his photo business.Those who knew Warner saw his warm humor, charming demeanor with an infectious positive attitude. He had a knack for communicating the fundamentals of art and design, and through the years sent forth many photography students with a superior artistic foundation to document their world across the breadth of photography. Along the way the Halversons were sensitive to certain students in difficult circumstances, and closely mentored special ones. Throughout his life he greatly enjoyed the friendships of many former students and loved hearing about their successes and life adventures. A man of many interests, Warner got the sailing bug and started out with a 19’ Pearson sailboat he sailed from Milwaukee to Sturgeon Bay. Through several trades over a decade, the boats enlarged to a 36’ cutter named the Condor. They moored in Door County and sailed out of Ephraim on Green Bay and Lake Michigan for many years. Since the 1980s, there was an Airedale in the household through 5 decades. Mack and Zach, and Murphy and presently Josie. Even the dogs went sailing. Travel to the Southwest became a primary interest in the 1990s, and eventually led to the purchase of property in Taos, NM and construction of a home in 2001 in the forested foothills above the mountain town, and famous art colony with a grand sunset view. A love for cooking and gathering friends at the house led to many evenings of delicious meals ending with elaborate desserts, and spirited conversation with artists, neighbors and visitors. They constructed the home with many creative details, and it became a work of art in itself, as well as a showcase of his own photography and the many pieces he collected from the many Southwest artists and gallery owners who became friends. The dog and cats travelled with them every trip Life quieted down once the Taos home sold in 2020. Warner and Judith settled into a peaceful routine in Stevens Point. He succumbed to cancer the evening of March 23rd, and as his breath grew short, he passed peacefully into the next world. He will be deeply missed by the many who loved him. The family and close friends will honor his life with a small private gathering. Contributions in his name are suggested for the Salvation Army, and the Humane Society of Portage County, or your favorite charity.