Mrs Ole Torgerson 1875-1945

TORGERSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 11/19/2009 at 18:23:48

Soldier Sentinel
22 November 1945

Sadie Karen Jensine Johnson Torgerson- 2 May 1875-15 Nov 1945

Mrs. Ole Torgerson, 70 years old pioneer lady of the Soldier community, was burned to death when kerosene exploded as she was pouring the oil into the kitchen range. The accident happened on Wednesday evening, Nov. 14 and she died in a Sioux City hospital early the next morning, November 15.

At about six o’clock the evening of the 14th the fire alarm was sounded here at Soldier and a fire was reported at the Torgerson house four miles east of town. Word was spread by line calls of their line and adjoining lines and in a short time plenty of help arrived. The Fire had been partly extinguished by Mr. Torrgerson while a son-in-law, John Hartson had gone to the neighbor to report the fire. What was supposedly a small fire, turned out a tragedy for Mrs. Torgerson lay in the home burned terribly, and Mr. Torgerson with severe burns about the hands and face trying to help her out. Mrs. Torgerson was rushed to Sioux City in the Oldham ambulance and Ole was taken there after being treated temporarily by Dr. Junger. Ole has been in a serious condition but holding his own at this writing.

Mrs. Torgerson never regained consciousness. Her tragic death was a great shock to relatives and friends. What a pity that this fine old lady had to meet her death in such a horrible way.

The home was not damaged badly outside of the interior of the kitchen and dining room.

Funeral services for Mrs. Torgerson were held at the Soldier Valley Lutheran Church Saturday afternoon. Rev. Hoff in charge. Burial was in Soldier Valley Cemetery in charge of Ralph Oldham.

Her parents were Jens C and Carrie Johnson and when she was three years old
where she spent her girlhood days.

She was confirmed in the Soldier. She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church and the Rosary Society of the church. She also was a member of the Blencoe Amercian Legion Auxiliary and the Birthday Club of Onawa.

Survivors include five daughters, Mrs. James (Bette) Marley of Blencoe, Mrs. Vinton (Dolores) Nutt and Mrs. Ray (Mary) Hosford, both of DesMoines, Mrs. Agnes Mann of Kansas City, Mo and Mrs. Ed (Theresa) Poulson of Denver; four sons, William of Onawa, Leo of Dakota City, Neb., Phillip of Cedar Rapids and Gary f Phoenix, Ariz.; a sister, Mrs. Raymond (Noreen) Smith of Galva, Ill,; a brother Albert of Kewanee, Ill; 50 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren.