Junella Corinne (Dahn) Halverson

Born on July 18, 1930 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to John "Jack" Dahn and Ada (Tollefson) Dahn, Junella lived a life centered on her faith and deep devotion to relationships.

She began following Christ as a teenager. That faith, plus a remarkable love for God’s word and the ability to memorize large amounts of scripture, guided her throughout her life. As a gifted soloist Junella shared her love of music by joyfully singing in choir and directing children’s choirs at Christ Community Church in Zion, Illinois. She and her first husband, Finley Corwin "Corny" Gustafson, raised their family in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, where she partnered with him in running their business, Finley Photography.

In their sunset years Junella and Finley embraced adventure and ministry by traveling in a motorhome and serving with SOWERs (Servants On Wheels Ever Ready) before settling in Mount Dora, Florida. Following Finley’s passing in 2005, Junella married Raymond Ordell Halverson in 2009. Together in their community in Mount Dora, Junella and Ray created a warm haven for visiting friends and family and Junella faithfully led a Bible study.

Her final chapter in this life was spent at the Jackson Creek Senior Living community in Monument, Colorado where her vibrant faith continued to shine as a Bible study leader, a cherished friend, and an inspiration to both residents and staff.

Junella was preceded in death by her husbands Finley and Raymond and her brother Merdith (Mert) Dahn. Her strong and genuine faith lives on through her sister Renetta (Dahn) Sargent, her children: John (Molly) Gustafson, Diane (Colonel Rodney) Hayes, Paul (Pam) Gustafson, Bob (Jody) Gustafson, and Colonel Charles (Colonel Candice) Halverson, as well as her 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Only heaven knows how many individuals Junella has blessed and prayed for over her lifetime. As her daughter Diane wrote in Junella’s memoir: "All who have been privileged to know her—who call her friend, mother, sister, aunt, Gramma Gus, or just Junella (sometimes Nella) — have been touched by her deep abiding trust in God and her gifts of mercy and compassion."