TORKELSON, Lillian T. (1916-2003)

TORKELSON, KNUTSON, JERMELAND, DIXON, HOLLIS, BENZING, JOHNSON, WALVATNE, MATHERS, AUSTIN

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society
Date: 9/25/2021 at 00:06:13

Lillian T. Torkelson 1916-2003

Lillian T. Torkelson of Garner, died Saturday, October 18, 2003, at the Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City. She was 87.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, October 21 at the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller with the Rev. Owen Gaasedelen officiating. Eulogist was Jennifer Talbot. Music was provided by organist, Margaret Torkelson and pianist, Linda Kessler.

Special music was provided by vocalists, Warren Torkelson, Blake Hollis and Lillian's great-grandchildren. Ushers were Dave Luscomb and Jim Thoreson.

Casket bearers were Joe Torkelson, Jay Torkelson, James Torkelson, Justin Dixon and Blake Hollis. Burial was in the Ellington Township Cemetery, southeast of Forest City. The Cataldo Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Lillian Thelma Torkelson, the daughter of Theodore and Lena (Knutson) Jermeland, was born September 25, 1916, at Ossian. She was baptized and confirmed at the Stavanger Lutheran Church in Ossian. She attended school at Ossian.

On January 19, 1939, she was married to Joseph Torkelson at her parents' home in Ossian. They lived near Forest City where they farmed and raised their family. On August 30, 1953, Joseph Torkelson died. Lillian continued to live on the farm until 1962, when she moved to Garner.

Lillian was employed as a cook for many years working for the Garner school system for 13 years, Concord Manor in Garner for three years and a few years at the Chuck Wagon Cafe in Forest City. She also helped her son, Warren, at the Garner Greenhouse. In 1998, she moved to the Prairie View Apartments in Garner. She became a resident of Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City in 2003. Lillian enjoyed gardening, making lefse, needlework and getting together with friends. Family was very important to her. Her latest joy was the arrival of triplet great-grandsons.

She was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Miller where she was active in many church groups over the years.

Survivors include her children, LeAnn Dixon and her husband, Delton of Mason City, Betty Hollis and her husband, Curtis of Waterloo and Warren Torkelson and his wife, Margaret of Garner; a daughter-in-law, Merna Torkelson of Forest City; three brothers, Joseph Jermeland of Clear Lake, Willard Jermeland and his wife, Vi of Mason City and Ted Jermeland and his wife, Elaine of West Union; a sister, Lavonne Benzing and her husband, Kendall of Monona; nine grandchildren; 18 great.-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; a stillborn daughter, Jolene Kay in 1953; a son, Clifford in 1989; two grandchildren; her parents; five sisters, Selma Johnson, Merna Walvatne, Leone Mathers, Arlette Austin and Arthel Jermeland; and five brothers, Walter, Arthur, Norman, Jerome and John Jermeland.

©The Garner Leader & Signal, 22 Oct 2003, page 6, column 1