Dr. Raymond E. "Ray" Halverson, 85, of Superior, Wis. died Tuesday, January 29, 2013 in St. Luke's Hospital, Duluth, Minn.

He was born January 20, 1928 in Superior to Martha (Robinson) and Raymond H. Halverson. He attended the Superior public schools and graduated from Superior Central High School in June 1945, having been extremely active in school sports.

In 1945 and 1946 he attended Superior State Teachers College, where again he was very active in all college sports.

In the fall of 1947 he was accepted to the Marquette School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, Wis. and graduated in 1951 as a Doctor of Dental Surgery. He graduated with honors; the highest being elected to the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society.

Ray had been a 2nd lieutenant in the U. S. Army Senior Dental Program, and upon graduation became a 1st lieutenant. In June of 1951 until June 1953 he practiced dentistry at Camp Roberts Army Hospital in California. When the Korean War ended he returned to Superior to practice dentistry for the next forty years.

Ray was an active member of Concordia Lutheran Church. He was a lifelong member of the Wisconsin Dental Association and a three term president of the Northern Wisconsin Dental Association. He was also a past president of the Duluth Dental Forum. In the community he was an active member of the Superior Jaycee's, the Chamber of Commerce, Masonic Lodge No. 236, the Elks Lodge No. 403 and he was a past president of the Superior Amateur Hockey Association. He was a former member of the Superior Rotary Club, Shriners Club and the Duluth Jesters. He was a longtime member of the Nemadji Men's Golf Club until 2007.

In his younger years, he was an avid hunter and fisherman and as years passed those interests changed to golf and gardening. He treasured the time spent with family and friends at the family cabin on Ruth Lake in Iron River. He and Carol also enjoyed watching their children and grandchildren playing hockey and figure skating.

Fifty-six years ago Ray and Carol June Reynolds were united in marriage and she survives him; along with a daughter, Sara (Walter) Haugen of Superior; three sons, Mark (Connie) Halverson of Nebagamon, Wis., Erik (Robin) Halverson of West Linn, Ore. and Chris Halverson of Superior; and five grandchildren, Owen Haugen and Sean, Eric, Paul and Christie Halverson.

The funeral will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in Concordia Lutheran Church with Rev. Charles Plaster officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service.

Pallbearers will be Bob Downs, Rod Campbell, Bill Ellison, John Hauglund, Jim Ellis, Allen Young and Bill Reynolds.

Burial will be held in Greenwood Cemetery where Military Honors will be accorded by the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post No. 435.

If desired, memorials in Ray's name can be made to Concordia Lutheran Church.