Torkelson, Othelia Cornelia (1911-2006)

TORKELSON, OLSON, SOGARD, VOELKER, BRUNSVOLD, ASKELAND, SUNDE, JERMELAND, ALBERTSON, HANNA, KESLER, TATE

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 2/13/2016 at 11:30:51

Othelia Cornelia Torkelson
April 21, 1911 - February 22, 2006

Othelia Torkelson, age 94, of Forest City, died on Wednesday, February 22, 2006, at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City.

Othelia Cornelia Torkelson, a daughter of Osmund and Bessie (Olson) Torkelson, was born near Humboldt, Iowa, on April 21, 1911. In time, the family moved to a farm near Thompson, Iowa, where Othelia met and married Clarence Torkelson. A lifelong homemaker, she and Clarence raised nine children. Later, she started a career she totally loved, having been in training for it almost her whole life, a cook at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City.

God came first in Othelia’s life, followed closely by her family. Family and friends will remember her warm and caring ways. Her children all feel they were especially blessed to have her as a mother. Her heart had a special spot for each of her twenty-six grandchildren whom she loved to spend time with. Each one of them has special memories of times spent with her. She was definitely a cookie-baking grandma.

Othelia instilled her love of music in all her children. She taught herself to play the piano and read music like a professional, a skill she used for many years as her church’s organist. She was especially proud of any grandchild’s music ability and was an encouraging force in their involvement in music.

Othelia’s children and grandchildren witnessed her boundless love of God’s creatures. Birds, numerous cats and dogs, and children found a safe haven in her care. Born to teach, she made her home into a classroom for her family and friends. She, especially, loved to teach about Jesus’ love, but she could also have lessons in baking, sewing, crocheting, knitting, canning, baby care, animal care, music, wallpapering, quilting, gardening, and any part of nature. A life-long learner, she was an avid reader and loved to complete crossword puzzles. She could master any craft she tried, soon becoming the person who taught others her newly learned skill. She loved to travel and was especially proud of her trip to Mount St. Helen’s soon after it erupted. In her late sixties, she was the proud owner of her first car and the driver’s license she worked hard to obtain. Her family would often gather at her house on Sundays for a delicious meal and a special time together. Her children remember special foods she would make just for them. She always had a very special relationship with all her daughters- and sons-in-law and found a very special spot in that big heart of hers just for them. Othelia loved to spend time with her brothers and sisters. She spent many happy hours quilting at her sister Thelma’s house.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Margie Sogard, of Ames, Bernice Voelker, of Charles City, Carroll Torkelson, of Fertile, and Ronald (Lucille) Torkelson, Leslie (Paulette) Torkelson, Roger Torkelson, Wayne Torkelson, and Marsha (Mark) Brunsvold, all of Forest City; Twenty-four grandchildren, thirty-five great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. She is, also, survived by her brother, Orrin Torkelson, and her sisters: Lavina Askeland, Thelma Sunde, Louise Jermeland, Julaine Albertson, and Darlene Hanna; and two sisters-in-law, Linda Kesler and Bonnie Torkelson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clarence; her son, Clarence, Jr.; her daughter, Margie Helen; her grandchildren, Lisa Tate, and Hollis, Debra, and LaRae Torkelson; her brothers and sisters, Joe, Clifford, John, Arthur, John, and Myrtle.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 25, 2006, at 2:00 PM at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Rev. Lee Laaveg officiating. Burial will be at Ellington Township Cemetery in rural Forest City. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Friday, February 25, 2006, and an hour prior to the service at the church.

Copyright © 2006, Petersen Lund Funeral Home