10/10/2026
*EDIT: visitation will be this coming Wednesday from 4-7pm and the service on Thursday will be at 11am at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home in Hixton, WI.*
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we must share the news that our beloved cousin and family patriarch Rick Halvorson passed away yesterday. This loss is not only felt by us and our family, but our community at large.
Rick was an amazing man who lived a blessed life. His legacy and memory extends far beyond our area. His passion for life propelled him into the international spotlight as he traveled the globe for decades as a world renown lumberjack competitor. He built his own chainsaw out of a three-wheeler engine and cut through the competition by becoming one of the most award winning lumberjacks of all time. He not only landed in the Guinness Book of World Records for Hot Sawing, he was featured on ESPN, National Geographic, and more.
His passion for the lumberjack life was only shadowed by his passion for his family. Rick's heart was the biggest thing about him and anyone who had the privilege of meeting him knows this fact. Despite all of his successes, trophies and notoriety, Rick was a humble, loving and kind man. His family extends beyond blood as he opened his heart eagerly to anyone who needed him. He worked with his brother and children, continuing to own and operate Halvorson Lumber up until his passing. To sit and talk to him you would never know you were sitting next to greatness. He never boasted or bragged about any of his successes. He spoke about family. He spoke about the trees and woods. He would educate people as to how to be a lumberjack and the best places to get a good meal. He enjoyed a great day fishing to relax and could spend hours talking to anyone who would listen.
As anyone who follows us knows, we dedicated our Halvorson Room to Rick and all his amazing accomplishments. The day we unveiled the room to him, he shed tears as he honestly didn't think people remembered everything he did. We are so grateful we honored him when he was here to see it and for him to know that as long as we are here, no one will ever forget who he was and all he achieved.
Before Rick passed, he expressed to us his desire to spend the night in his room. We told him that at any time he was welcome, but sadly he never took the chance. Because of this, we will be illuminating his room with a "ghost light" nightly until his services are held. A ghost light is a tradition in the theatre world. We will leave one light on in his room as a beacon to him to light his way home and resolve any unfinished business he may have before passing on.
If you would like to join us in celebrating his life, visitation will be this coming Wednesday and the service on Thursday at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home in Hixton, WI. After the services on Thursday we will be gathering at our Humbird Rod & Gun Club. Exact times TBA and we will share that information as it becomes available.
To our family, our friends, our community and to the world at large, thank you for loving Rick, lifting him up, and celebrating him in life and in death. Tell his stories, share your memories and he will always be here with us
