Hallie Lucille Nordhagen, age 102, of Whitehall, passed away peacefully at Gundersen Tri-County Care Center in Whitehall on Tuesday, April 26, 2016.

Hallie was born in Shell Lake, WI to Mathias James and Ethel Elizabeth (Fann) Huerth on April 2, 1914 and lived in the Washburn county area. Hallie married Carl Edwin Nordhagen on May 14, 1947 in Eau Claire. Carl preceded Hallie in death on February 19, 1997.

Hallie started her career as an educator at age seventeen in Washburn County Schools. During her eighteen-year career in education she was both a teacher and an administrator at the primary, secondary and college levels throughout northwestern Wisconsin. She attended and later taught at Superior State College.

Hallie and Carl moved with their family from Balsam Lake to Whitehall when he accepted the position of School Superintendant in 1953. In 1959 she became the Assistant Superintendant and Nursing Home Administrator of the Trempealeau County Health Care Center. She spent twenty-six years in that capacity with her husband as the Administrator for many of those years.

During her career, Hallie was selected to serve on numerous state and national committees on children and youth, aging, human rights , chemical dependencies and mental health. She was a frequent visitor to the state legislature to discuss these topics. She was selected as the Chairman of the State Nursing Home Administrators Licensing Board and was Chairman of the Division of Unified Boards. She represented western Wisconsin at the White House commission on Children and Youth and served on President Kennedy's Comprehensive Mental Health Planning Committee.

With her husband, Carl, she served on the Area Advisory Board for UW-Eau Claire. She was elected as a Fellow of the Menninger Clinic, Topeka, Kansas. In 1967, she was awarded an honorary degree from the International Dictionary of Biography, London, England for "Distinguished Service in the Field of Education and Hospital Administration". She was included in numerous biographical publications such as Who's Who of the World and Who's Who of American Women. Hallie was cited by both the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly for her contributions to the state and on October 27, 1984 the Governor proclaimed it "Hallie Nordhagen Day" in Wisconsin.

Through the years Hallie served many local organizations as member and leader including 4-H, Cub Scouts, League of Women Voters, Women's Club and various church organizations. She was a founding member of the BRAD organization, was a past recipient of the Whitehall Lions Club Citizen of the Year and, together with her husband, was chosen as Trempealeau County Soil Conservation People of the Year. In 1969 she was awarded an honorary degree by the Future Homemakers of America and was cited by the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma as a "Woman of Leadership". She was a long time member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Whitehall.

Public speaking was one of Hallie's favorite pastimes and she spoke at many functions and organizations throughout the area and state. She was a member and Fellow of the International Platform Association established by Daniel Webster to promote better speakers for schools, universities and civic organizations. She attended the IPA international conventions in Washington D.C. for many years and was able to meet many important dignitaries and leaders from around the world. She also enjoyed writing and had several articles published in various magazines.

Hallie was a very warm and loving person who did many things to help other people whenever she could. She loved talking to people of all backgrounds whether she knew them or not and whether they wanted to listen or not. She was proud of her family, especially her grandsons and great- grandsons. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Hallie is survived by her sister, Ina Vinopal of Almena; two sons, Dr. Bruce (Dr. Eileen Isom) Nordhagen of Sun Prairie and Brian (Michele) Nordhagen of Sheboygan; two grandsons, Major Leif (Amy) Nordhagen currently serving in USAF in Las Vegas and A.J. Nordhagen (special friend Brittany) of Minneapolis, MN; two great-grandsons, Lars and Liam of Las Vegas.

In addition to her parents and husband, Hallie was preceded in death by four brothers, Forrest "Bud" Huerth , Arnold, Bernie and Charlie Braun and two sisters, Lois Edwards and Shirley Biesel.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 2-4 p.m. in the Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall.

The Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall is assisting the family with arrangements.