Otis Leon Torkelson 1926-2006

BENSON, TORKELSON, BROADBENT, BURROW, SNITKER, GREEN

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/28/2006 at 12:04:03

Otis Torkelson

Otis Leon Torkelson, 80, of Elgin, Iowa, died Tuesday, June 13, 2006, at the Good Samaritan Home in Postville, Iowa.

Otis was born May 1, 1926, to Clarence and Adelia (Benson) Torkelson in a log cabin that was built in the 1800s, on the family farm in Clayton County. He was baptized and confirmed at Highland Lutheran Church. He graduated from the Elgin Public School in 1943 and worked in the family automobile business until entering the U.S. Navy in September of 1944. Otis served on board the battleship USS Indiana in the Pacific Theater as a radar technician. He received his honorable discharge in June of 1946. Otis returned to Elgin and continued to work in the family business and in 1949 he and his brother Ivan bought into Torkelson Motors. In 1964 he assumed ownership of the farm water division, later known as Torkelson Pump Co. He retired in 1988.

Otis was united in marriage to Gayle Broadbent June 13, 1948, at West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont, Iowa. To this union four daughters were born. Otis and Gayle made their home in Elgin where Otis became a charter member of the Elgin Lutheran Church in 1954 and was an active member throughout his years serving on the church council as well. Otis was a member of the Elgin American Legion and the Elgin Community Club. During his life, he enjoyed various activities such as their snowmobile trips up North, spending time boating on the Mississippi, and relaxing at their summer home in Clayton, Iowa, with friends and family.

Survivors include his daughters: Susan Burrow of Oak Harbor, Wash., Jane Burrow of Elgin, Iowa, Pat (Jeff) Snitker of Waukon, and Nancy Green of Iowa Falls, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; a brother, Ivan (Eleanor) Torkelson; a sister-in-law, Carol Torkelson; a brother-in-law, Paul (Helen) Broadbent; a sister-in-law, Donna Broadbent; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Gayle; a brother, Dean; a great-grandson, Matthew Burrow; and a brother-in-law, Noel Broadbent.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 17, 2006, at the Elgin Lutheran Church with Rev. Jerome Godson officiating. Burial followed in the Elgin Cemetery with military rites. Leonard Funeral Home in Elgin was in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers were his grandsons, Daniel Snitker and Michael Snitker; nephews Greg Torkelson, Dirk Torkelson, and Bruce Torkelson; and his Godson, Kevin Moore.

Waukon Standard, June 21, 2006