Beverly Ann (Schoolcraft) Halvorson, age 82, of Rice Lake, WI peacefully passed away on Nov. 21, 2025. She was born on April 21,1943 in Yuma, AZ, the daughter of Louise & Fred Schoolcraft.

Bev graduated from Yuma High School and went on to Arizona State University, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Education and Home Economics. As a student, she and her friend had car troubles and a nice young Air Force Airman named Don Halvorson from Canton, WI was there to help. He offered to drive them to their party and the rest is history. Bev married Don, the love of her life, in 1969. Imagine Bev’s surprise when visiting Northern WI and seeing the Henry Schoolcraft historical marker just off of Hwy 53, one of her distant ancestors had been there before her.

Bev loved three things with all of her heart – her husband, her son and children. She cared for her son Steven for many years, then returned to teaching. She taught in Orange Co, CA and then became an expert in the education of sixth graders in Phoenix, AZ for 24 years. She had a photo album for each year, full of talent shows, Olympic-style competitions, student council and general classroom highlights.

During summer visits to WI, Bev took each of her nieces shopping for back-to-school clothes. Bev saw the world through Don’s travels, joining him throughout the US, living in Long Island, NY, Atlanta, GA, Springfield, IL, Mesa, AZ and finally retiring to Rice Lake, WIin 2004. Travels took them to see the sites in Europe and much of US by motorhome, but her favorite destination was Hawaii.

Bev was a crafty soul with a whole room dedicated to painting, stamping and calligraphy. She designed homemade cards that looked like pieces of art. She & Don loved a good journey into the woods or on the lake to catch dinner. She named many an animal near their camping spots and talked with her golden retriever while Don was driving the motorhome.

Remaining to cherish Bev’s memory are her husband Don, brothers-in-law Paul (Joan) Halvorson and Del (Michele) Halvorson and a multitude of nieces and nephews. Preceding Bev in death are her son Steven, her parents Louise & Fred Schoolcraft, and her brother-in-law Arlen Halvorson.

Funeral Services will be at 11AM, Monday, December 1, 2025 at Appleyard’sHome for Funerals in Rice Lake, WI, with visitation one hour prior to the Funeral Service at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals. Interment will follow at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI.

Last Update: Nov 24, 2025 9:17 am CST