Edna Cora Halvorson, 96, of Northwood, Iowa, died Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Edna had been a resident of the Lutheran Home since Dec. 29, 2006.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 22, at the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church, 1406 Central Ave., Northwood, with the Rev. Karl Hermanson officiating.

Burial will be in the Somber Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Lake Mills, Iowa. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Ave. S., Northwood.

Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church.

The family of Edna Cora Halvorson has requested that memorial contributions be made to the First Shell Rock Lutheran Church or to Somber Lutheran Church Cemetery association in her memory.

Edna Cora Halvorson was born on May 5, 1910, in Freeman Township in Freeborn County, the daughter of Emil and Minnie (Peterson) Nelson.

She attended school in Freeborn County, and graduated from Albert Lea High School. Edna also received her teachers certificate at the teachers college in Albert Lea. After completing her schooling, she taught in country and public schools for 30 years in Freeborn County.

She was united in marriage to Melvin Halvorson on Aug. 16, 1931.

He preceded her in death on May 7, 1980.

Edna enjoyed traveling, reading, playing cards, sewing; making quilts for missions, flowers, especially geraniums, and was making lefse until a year ago.

Edna also enjoyed spending time with her family.

Edna was a member and very active in her church, at First Shell Rock Lutheran Church, and was a former member of Somber Lutheran Church, rural Northwood.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Phyllis Jacobs and special friend, Jesse Wright of Mission, Texas, Betty (Duane) Peterson of Emmons, Ron (Esther) Halvorson of Joice, Iowa, Marliss &8220;Molly&8221; (Gary) Bachtle of Northwood, Iowa, and Roger &8220;Bud&8221; (Arlyce) Halvorson of Glenville; 15 grandchildren, Mark (Julie) Jacobs, and Michael Jacobs and fianc/e Cindee Stumo of Albert Lea, Danny Peterson and special friend Sammie Smith of Las Vegas, Nev., Terry (Audrey) Peterson of Clear Lake, Debbie (Bruce) Madsen of Albert Lea, Linda (Greg) Ordway of Branson, Mo., Lori Halvorson, and Lonna (Dan) Nielsen of Winterset, Iowa, Lee (Dana) Halvorson and Jeff

(Michele) Bachtle of Northwood, Scott (Becky) Bachtle of Albert Lea, Cynthia (Jim) Williamson, Mary (Dar) Wagner, Troy (Dawn) Bachtle, and Jason (Jodie) Bachtle, all of Northwood; four step-grandchildren, Clark (Becky) Mittag of Glenville, Craig (Anita) Mittag of Prescott, Iowa, Jay (Heidi) Mittag of Aplington, Iowa, and Jill (Jeff) Strangstalien of Westby, Wis.; 32 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Dena Peterson of Emmons; and

other relatives and many friends.

Edna was preceded in death by her parents; husband Melvin; son-in-law, John I. Jacobs; and seven

sisters and three brothers and their spouses.