Torkelson, Luella G. (Benson) 1901-1935

TORKELSON, BENSON, LARSON, MOELLERMAN, EMBERTSON, SNYDER, HOLM, GREGERSON, MORK, COOK

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 3/28/2013 at 19:30:24

Luella Geneva Benson was born Feb. 23, 1901, in Highland township, Clayton county, Iowa, and died Feb. 2, 1935, at the age of thirty-three years, 11 months and ten days, at her home in Marion township. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. B.M. Benson, the youngest of eight children. She was the first child baptized in the Highland Lutheran church, where she later was confirmed, and also married.

She completed eight grades in the rural district school, after which she attended the Elkader high school, graduating in 1920. Later she took a business course at the Cedar Rapids business college. Upon completion of this course she accepted a position in Cedar Rapids, which she held for some time.

On March 6, 1926, she was married to William Torkelson. To them three children were born, Sylvan Lien, 7 years, Borghild Ione, 5 years, and Amy Lou, 3 years old. Since their marriage, her husband and she have made their home in Marion township.

Last April she was taken ill. In October, on the advice of her physician, she went to Rochester, Minn. for treatment. Her case was diagnosed as cancer of the bladder. An operation was performed, but instead of bringing relief, the operation apparently only served to aggravate the disease. After eight weeks stay there she was brought to her home, where scientific skill and loving hands did everything that could possibly be done to make her comfortable. The dread malady spread rapidly, sapping her strength and vitality, and with the passing of the holidays it became increasingly evident to near and dear ones who watched over her that the return of spring would find the little home with mother gone. The end of the first month of the year found her a mere shadow, and Saturday, Feb. 2, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, the frail thread of life melted away and her soul returned to its Creator.

All during her illness, patiently and without a murmur she bore her suffering. Though it was certain that she early realized that for her life's hour glass had near urn its course, her every thought and concern was for her loved ones she so soon would leave, and every word that she uttered so long as she had the strength to speak was of cheerfulness and encouragement. Truer nobility and strength of character are not found.

Funeral services were held Monday, February 4, at the house at 1 p.m. and at the Highland Lutheran church at 2 p.m. At the house Rev. G. Gunsten spoke briefly, and a mixed quartette of friends from Elgin sang two songs. At the church, Rev. Gunsten delivered an impressive sermon, and Adolph Benson sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Lead Kindly Light", and the quartette sand "Abide With Me". At the grave, three intimate girlhood friends sang "Nearer My God to Thee."

Besides the grieving husband and three babes, she leaves five sisters, Mrs. O.H. Larson of Elkader, Mrs. C.O. Torkelson and Mrs. Josephine Moellerman of Elgin, Mrs. Philman Embertson of St. Olaf, and Mrs. Belva Snyder of Grandview, and one brother, Melvin E. Benson, on the old home farm, also a wide circle of other relatives and friends who mourn her untimely passing. The pall bearers were Adolph Larson, Selmar Holm, Louis Gregerson, Melvin Gregerson, Kenneth Mork and Merlin Cook.

We will all miss her, but God's ways are not our ways. So we in all humility bow and pray - Give us strength and grace to bear the burden of loss, and let it be for young and old a voice of God that says to us "We have not here an abiding place, heaven is our home, and so use our days of grace that we shall be found with God, trusting in His promise." Then Luella will be blessed in death, and her life a hallowed memory.

God knoweth best
Me thinks I hear Him say:
Beyond this darkness
Lies a perfect day;
In every path of thine
I lead the way.
God knoweth best,
And I can safely go
Where he doth lead,
And some day shall know
Why in His wisdom He decreed it so.

~Elgin Echo, February 14, 1935