James “Jim” Halderson

Jim was born on November 6, 1932 in Trempealeau County Wisconsin. His parents were Everett and Edith Halderson. He was the fourth of nine children. When he was asked about his siblings, he always said he had “four of each”. His siblings were Robert Vance, Louis Halderson, Isabelle Braun, Norman Halderson (Judy), Wendell Halderson (Carol), Doris Terpenning, Sandra Morris and Helen Byne.

Jim grew up on a small dairy farm in central Wisconsin near the Mississippi River. He loved growing things but his real passion was working with the farm equipment and fixing it when needed. He graduated from Galesville High School and then signed up for a four-year tour with the United States Air Force where he was stationed in Alaska. After discharge he attended University of Wisconsin and graduated with a BS and Masters degree. He attended Cornell and Purdue and graduated with a PHD in Agricultural Engineering in 1972.

He married Norma Kirchner while at a Cornell. He helped raise her children Steven Hallock and Lorene Crossett. They kept moving west eventually arriving in American Falls in 1977. Jim accepted a position with University of Idaho at the Aberdeen Experiment Station. We all had the opportunity to meet the graduate students, most from foreign countries. Those students often joined the family for a meal and developed lifelong friendships.

Jim loved Idaho and was always interested in learning something new and fixing something old, especially tractors. He was a member of the IRON Tractor Club in the Upper Valley and the Twin Falls Branch. He was a willing volunteer at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Red Cross Blood Drives, Lions Club and Ducks Unlimited.

He was a member of The American Legion Aberdeen Post. He had a strong commitment to participating in the Honor Ceremonies regardless of the weather.

Jim loved animals, especially the cats. Many of which might be Green Bay Packers fans from sitting on his lap watching football.

Services for Jim will Be held Thursday June 18, 2026 at St John’s Lutheran Church in American Falls. There will be a visitation from 10:00 to 10:45am with a service to follow at 11am.

Military honors by The American Legion Post from Aberdeen will be held on the Front Lawn of the Church immediately following the service.

Inurnment will be at a later date. Jim will be laid to rest in the family plots, at the Evergreen Cemetery in Centerville Wisconsin, which was part of his grandparent’s family farm.

The family asks in lieu of flowers donations be made to a charity of your choice.

A visitation will be from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 18 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in American Falls. The memorial service will follow beginning at 11:00 a.m. Military Honors will be performed after the service on the church’s front lawn. Inurnment will be on a later date. Jim will be laid to rest in the family plots, at the Evergreen Cemetery in Centerville WI; which was part of Jim’s grandparent’s family farm.  Family and friends are invited to visit DavisRoseMortuary.com to order flowers, or to share condolences, memories, and photos.