Cliff Buchan
News Editor

There was a never a time when Warren Hallberg didnít find himself in some sort of public service.

It was that way in his many years of business involvement and as a private citizen who found numerous ways to work for a better Forest Lake.

Hallberg, a lifelong area resident and a man who went off to serve his country during World War II, died from lung cancer on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Hallberg was 82.

ìIf I had to sum Warren up in one word it would be integrity,î said his longtime friend Neil Mattson of Lino Lakes.

Both Hallberg and Mattson hail from families that have deep roots in the area. The two became fast friends as young adults in Forest Lake, worked together on community programs and served together on the city planning commission for a number of years.

ìHe was a good guy,î Mattson said of his friend.; ìHe was very definite in his views, but he was a fun guy to be around.î

Neil and Mabel Mattson along with John and Liz Morley, the late Mert and Doris Houle and Warren and Shirley Hallberg were traveling partners for many vacation trips in the U.S. and Europe, Mattson said.

Mattson said he was always impressed with Hallbergís desire to push for projects he felt benefitted the area and to volunteer his time and energy to worthy causes.

Mattson said he also marveled at Hallbergís drive and energy. Along with Ray and Geri Daninger of Forest Lake, Mattson and Hallberg teamed to complete three border to border bicycle races, The Ride Across Minnesota.

1942 FL graduate

Warren Calvin Hallberg was born on Dec. 9, 1923 in Constance, MN, a small community west of Forest Lake. He grew up in the Lake Netta area and attended area schools, earning his high school diploma in 1942 in Forest Lake.

With the nation at war, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and became a C-47 transport pilot. During the war, he logged more than 1000 hours flying transport planes before he was discharged in 1946.

Hallberg returned home after his discharge and enrolled at the University of Minnesota, earning a mechanical engineering degree in 1950.

His first job was a sales representatives for McQuay, Inc., before going to work as an engineer for a firm that would become Michaud, Cooley, Hallberg, Erickson & Associates, Inc., Minneapolis.

After leaving the firm, he started Warren C. Hallberg and Associates, Inc. in 1979 and stayed with the Forest Lake company until 1985 when it was taken over by a son.

Hallbergís speciality was in engineering of mechanical systems for public schools in Minnesota.

Beyond his professional work, Hallberg was involved in numerous community functions. He was active in the Boy Scouts and was an assistant scout master for many years.

Along with his planning commission service, he was an elected member of the Forest Lake School Board and later served on school district committees.

Through his military background, Hallberg was a member of American Legion Post 225 and a past commander of the post.

He was also a long time member of St. Peterís Catholic Church in Forest Lake.

Funeral details

A Mass of Christian Burial for Warren C. Hallberg was Monday, Oct. 30 at St. Peterís Catholic Church with interment at Calvary Cemetery, Forest Lake.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Shirley; daughters Barb (Joe) Kruse and Mary Ann (Dan) Henke; sons Dick (Vicky), Doug, Joe (Pam), and Tom (Marianne); 15 grandchildren; and one sister, Evelyn Martinson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, one sister and two grandchildren.

Memorials are preferred to the St. Peterís Catholic School Endowment in Forest Lake.

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Forest Lake Times
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880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
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