Torkelson, Halvor 1864 - 1932

TORKELSON, BENSON, LEUCHTENMACHER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 9/21/2018 at 10:12:42

Clayton County Register, Thur., 24 Mar. 1932.

Halvor Torkelson was found dead in his bed at the home of his sister, Hattie Torkelson, Saturday morning, March 19th, about 8:00 o'clock. At about 7:00 the hired man, as he walked by his room, saw Mr. Torkelson moving in his bed and when less than an hour later he was called and did not answer, he was lying as one asleep, there was nothing to indicate any struggle before death, but that death had come instantaneously. The doctor who had been his family physician declared heart failure to be the cause of death. Though Mr. Torkelson has not been in the best of health for several years, and had quite a severe attack of "flu" this winter, he was again up and about his work as usual, so there was no warning illness that presaged death.

Halvor Torkelson was born in Wagner township, March 23, 1864, and thus at the time of his death lacked but four days of being 68 years old. In 1867 he moved with his parents to Highland township settling on the farm a half mile east of Highland church, and known as the old Torkelson farm. Here he spent his boyhood days, and the first year of his married life.

On April 23, 1892, he was united in marriage to Hannah Benson. After living one year on the old home farm, they moved to the farm east of them, which he had purchased, and which has since been his home. Here he and his faithful wife, by hard work, developed a valuable farm and built a beautiful modern farm home. To them were born five children, two of whom have preceded their father in death, namely: Levi, who died in infancy, and Bede in 1916, at the age of 14 years. There live to mourn his death his aged wife, Hannah Torkelson, and three daughters, Hilda, Mrs. Roy Leuchtenmacher of Elgin, who has recently moved on the farm they had purchased, but who has, up to two weeks ago, lived with her folks on the home farm; Minnie and Lavina, both of Chicago, also one sister, Hattie Torkelson, residing on the old farm, besides many other relatives and friends.

In Mr. Torkelson the Highland community has lost one of its most highly respected citizens, and the Highland Lutheran church one of its charter members, and a staunch member of same, who in word and works has done much for its upbuilding and maintenance. In the community he will be sadly missed, for the one remark made by all who knew him is, "that a kinder and better neighbor could not live." In every way helpful and a kind welcome awaited each one who called at his ever hospitable home.

The funeral services were held Monday, March 21, from his home and the Highland Lutheran church, the pastor, Rev. G. Gunsten, officiating. Interment was made in the cemetery adjoining the church.

The pall bearers were all old neighbors and friends, namely: Andrew Cook, Halvor Wikan, E. Gunderson, Albert Larson, Chris Larson and O. H. Larson.