Walter Raymond Torrance 1872-1952

TORRANCE, BARR, ROWLAND, OSTROM, SHERWOOD, LATCHAM, HOUCK, KENSLER, LANDON, VAN RENTERGHEM

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/29/2008 at 07:34:20

Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register

WALTER RAYMOND TORRANCE

Walter Raymond Torrance, son of Thomas and Mary Barr Torrance, was born in Delaware county, N.Y. on April 5, 1872. He was one of seven children.

When a boy he came with his parents to Iowa where they settled on a farm a mile southwest of Hartwick.

On Dec. 23, 1896, he was married to Arbanna Rowland and to this union three children were born, Mrs. Ruth Ostrom and Scott, both deceased, and Mrs. Evelyn Sherwood of Grinnell.

On April 6, 1916, his wife died. On Oct. 14, 1919, he was married to Ada Latcham and they became the parents of three daughters, Mrs. Irene Houck of Chicago, Ill., Mrs. Carl Kensler of Marengo and Mrs. Marilyn Landon, now of Naples, Italy.

Mr. Torrance joined the Congregational church in Hartwick when a young man and for many years was a faithful worker in the church. With the exception of one year he continued living on the same farm until February of 1930, when the family moved to Grinnell. For the past seven years he has made his home in Chicago. He passed away quite suddenly on Tuesday morning, Jan. 22 at the age of 79 years, 9 months and 17 days.

Besides his wife and four daughters he is survived by 10 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and a brother Will, of Des Moines. Also a stepson, Clair Latcham of Grinnell and a stepdaughter, Mrs. Lois Van Renterghem of Brooklyn. Funeral services in charge of Rex Kenneth Berg were held Friday afternoon in the Congregational church at Hartwick. Music was provided by Mrs. Calvin Korns and Mrs. Everett Korns. Pall bearers, all nephews, were Forrest Torrance, Will Ormiston, Cleo Korns, Everett Korns, Calvin Korns and Nelson Korns. Flowers were arranged by Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Messerle and N.H. McIlrath. Burial was in the Hartwick cemetery.