Ernest Halseth, 88, of Tioga, ND passed away at the Tioga Medical Center on Saturday, January 6, 2024 with his family by his side.

Ernest E. Halseth was born in a homestead house on NE-10-157-98, Oliver Township in Williams County to Elmer and Ethel Halseth. His parents were young and had very little in the way of material things. The house was always warm and his mother was a very good cook. Ernest was the oldest of 6 children.

He was baptized at the Rainbow Valley Church, confirmed at Epping Lutheran Church and was a member of Ray Lutheran Church once they moved to Ray until his passing.

Ernest’s grade school years were spent at Stewart School from 1941-49. In 1949 he attended Epping High School, graduating in 1953.

He started college at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN for one year then moved onto UND in 1954-55. The next six summers he attended summer school at Minot State College—and taught during the school years. He went back for more classes in 1963 and finally graduated in 1964 with a degree in Education/Social Studies.

He met Joyce Severson of McVille, ND in 1954. They married at Center Lutheran Church in Nelson County in 1957. In 1959 they had their first child; over the next 14 years they had four more children.

Ernest had several different jobs over the years. He worked on the Great Northern Railroad out in MT during his late teens, painted many barns in the area and he taught many 6th grade students over a 16-year teaching career in Wheelock, Minot and Westby. But through it all his dream and love for farming was always there. While teaching, getting married and raising children he slowly acquired acreage and farmed part-time during his years of teaching. In 1974 Ernie, Joyce and children made the move to Ray, ND. He was finally able to pursue his final career as a full-time Farmer.

He semi-retired at age 78, then at the age of 80 he figured he should finally retire. Ernest then enjoyed caring for his small garden in Ray, going out to the farm to mow, and visit with whomever should stop by the farm, the house or back yard.

In 2016 Ernie and Joyce moved to the Independent Living Apartments in Tioga where Ernie remained after Joyce's passing in 2018. He made good friends there and enjoyed having his kids stop by or driving to Ray for BBQ’s, birthdays and holidays with family.

Ernie was so proud of his five children and later his six grandchildren and lived to meet and enjoy his five great-grandchildren. He loved to see all these kids learn and grow.

Ernest is survived by his children, David Halseth of Mandan, ND, Dean (Robin) Halseth of Bismarck, ND, Jill (Doug) Perdue of Ray, ND, John Halseth of Ray, ND, Jan (Gene) Munyon of Ray, ND; grandchildren, Jennifer (Joey) LaFave of Bismarck, ND, Shane Halseth of Federal Way, WA, Mitch Halseth of Federal Way, WA, Clint (Mariah) Perdue of Ray, ND, Ryan (Britanee) Perdue of Ray, ND, Rylee (Cody) Schroeder of Crane, MT; great-grandchildren, Andie LaFave, Owen LaFave, Camryn Perdue, Hadley Schroeder and Rhett Schroeder; siblings, Robert (Louise) Halseth, Betty Halseth, Donald (Darlene) Halseth, Peggy (Ted) Bearce and Judy Schroeder along with many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Joyce; parents, Elmer and Ethel; grandparents, John and Gena Halseth; aunts and uncles.