Irvin Burdette Halstrom
August 25, 1929 — June 8, 2019
On Saturday, June 8, 2019, Irvin B. Halstrom, loving husband, father, grandpa, and great-grandpa, passed away at the age of 89.
Irvin was born on August 25, 1929, on a farm outside of Paullina, Iowa to Edwin and Edna Halstrom. Irv was the second youngest of his ten siblings so life was very busy, but he fondly remembered his childhood in rural Iowa. He was drafted into the army and spent 2 years in Germany, where his best friend, Wilson Henderson, was on the same base. As Irv said, “God does lead the way.” He graduated from the University of Nebraska and moved to California to begin his teaching career, where he taught at Griffiths Middle School in Downey for 40 years before retiring. On June 20, 1958, he married Shirley Joyce Lekven. They raised two daughters, Jill and Laura, in Downey, California.
Irv had a passion for gardening. He tenderly cultivated his plants and enjoyed tilling the earth and creating a beautiful, peaceful space for his friends and family to gather. Irv’s way of growing his garden was similar to how he treated his friends and loved ones. He watered his relationships with love which might include weekly long-distance phone calls, a plate of cookies to neighbors, or succulent planters to church friends or those who might need a pick me up. He pruned his family to grow stronger with his gentle words of wisdom and steadfast commitment to each of them. He was known for his quick wit, his kind and compassionate spirit, and his strong personal relationship with Jesus.
Irv was preceded in death by his father, Edwin, his mother, Edna, and 8 of his 10 siblings. He is survived by his wife Shirley, his 2 daughters, Jill and Laura, his sister, Joyce Grinstead, his 4 grandchildren, Keslie, Jared, Cole, and Ethan, and 2 great-grandchildren, Jonsi and Wylie. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at Downey First Baptist Church in the chapel, at 11:00 a.m. The family has designated National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. at https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org for memorial contributions.
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website.
Irvin was born on August 25, 1929, on a farm outside of Paullina, Iowa to Edwin and Edna Halstrom. Irv was the second youngest of his ten siblings so life was very busy, but he fondly remembered his childhood in rural Iowa. He was drafted into the army and spent 2 years in Germany, where his best friend, Wilson Henderson, was on the same base. As Irv said, “God does lead the way.” He graduated from the University of Nebraska and moved to California to begin his teaching career, where he taught at Griffiths Middle School in Downey for 40 years before retiring. On June 20, 1958, he married Shirley Joyce Lekven. They raised two daughters, Jill and Laura, in Downey, California.
Irv had a passion for gardening. He tenderly cultivated his plants and enjoyed tilling the earth and creating a beautiful, peaceful space for his friends and family to gather. Irv’s way of growing his garden was similar to how he treated his friends and loved ones. He watered his relationships with love which might include weekly long-distance phone calls, a plate of cookies to neighbors, or succulent planters to church friends or those who might need a pick me up. He pruned his family to grow stronger with his gentle words of wisdom and steadfast commitment to each of them. He was known for his quick wit, his kind and compassionate spirit, and his strong personal relationship with Jesus.
Irv was preceded in death by his father, Edwin, his mother, Edna, and 8 of his 10 siblings. He is survived by his wife Shirley, his 2 daughters, Jill and Laura, his sister, Joyce Grinstead, his 4 grandchildren, Keslie, Jared, Cole, and Ethan, and 2 great-grandchildren, Jonsi and Wylie. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at Downey First Baptist Church in the chapel, at 11:00 a.m. The family has designated National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. at https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org for memorial contributions.
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website.
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