Evelyn M. Torno - Died 2011

TORNO REED WILLIAMS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/4/2011 at 22:47:24

Sioux City Journal
8 February 2011

SIOUX CITY -- Evelyn M. Torno, 82, of Sioux City entered into eternal rest Friday, Feb. 5, 2011, at a Sioux City hospital, surrounded by her loved ones, following a brief illness.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, with the Rev. David Steinborn officiating. Abiding by her wishes, the body will be cremated following the services Friday. There will be no graveside services. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Evelyn M. Torno was born in Moville, Iowa, the daughter of Benjamin and Flora (Reed) Williams. She was one of seven children. In early childhood, she lived on a farm near Moville, where she attended a one-room school. Later, the family moved to Sioux City, where she attended Everett School. As a teenager, she worked at Petro's Hotdog Shop.

In 1947, she married Gordon Torno. As their family grew, they settled on a farm on the edge of Sioux City, where she raised her nine children. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. In 1991, she moved into Sioux City, living with her daughter, Stacie.

On the farm, Evelyn not only raised her children, she taught them to care for all the farm animals. Her favorites were the calves and chickens. She was the neighborhood mom to all her neighbors and her children's friends.

She loved cooking for her family and anyone else that happened to show up. Sunday dinners were very important to her. Holidays were a special treat. She loved making things for her family from Cabbage Patch dolls to quilts. Having family gathered together brought her the greatest joy.

While living in Sioux City, she became a senior companion. Her compassion for others made this an easy job. She was chosen Senior Companion of the Month several times. The people she visited continued to send her cards and letters even after she retired. The last several years, she had helped raise her youngest grandchildren by getting them off to school.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan M. Cobbs and special friend, Dean Nolz of Sioux Falls, S.D.; a son, Reggie R. Torno and wife, Mona of Sioux City; a son, Rickie L. Torno of West Memphis, Ark.; a daughter, Sherrie D. McClelland and husband, Robert of Las Vegas, Nev.; a daughter, Sheila L. Smith and husband, Michael of Hinton, Iowa; a son, Lt. Col. Randell R. Torno of Dallas, Texas; a son, John P. Torno and wife, Kristen of Sioux City; a daughter, Stacie M. Norton of Sioux City; a daughter-in-law, Linda Cassidy of Sioux City; and a brother, Robert Williams of Sioux City. She was a proud grandmother of 26 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Flora (Reed) Williams; three brothers, Thomas William of Odebolt, Iowa, Donald of Fayetteville, Ark., and Charles Williams of Sioux City; two sisters, Joyce Whitaker of Sioux City and Dorothy Williams of White River, S.D.; her husband of 41 years, Gordon C. Torno; a son, Daniel Gordon Torno of Sioux City; and a daughter-in-law, Denisa Torno of West Memphis, Ark.