Darwin D. “Dar” Torgerson 1933-2012

TORGERSON HEIMAN VAN HORN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/26/2012 at 13:24:39

Sioux City Journal
July 08, 2012

Darwin D. “Dar” Torgerson, 78, of Sioux City went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, July 5, 2012 at Hallmark Care Center, following a lengthy illness.

Memorial services for Dar will be 1 p.m. today at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Del Olivier officiating. Private graveside services will be held at a later date in Graceland Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Dar was born on Oct. 4, 1933 in Sioux City, to Ingolf and Pearl (Heiman) Torgerson. He graduated from Leeds High School and began working as a cattle salesman for the Sioux City Stock Yards. Dar also farmed and cared for a variety of animals on his acreage which family and friends fondly know as “The 40”. When the stock yards closed, Dar retired from sales and continued to operate his farm full-time.

He was married to Roberta Van Horn on Dec. 20, 1952. To this union, three children were born, Karen, Kathy and Karol. The marriage later ended in divorce. Dar remarried Zoaline Zarzick on June 26, 1970, and he welcomed her son, Keith Hawkins as his own. She preceded him in death on Sept. 11, 1989 in Sioux City.

Dar was a past Mason and member of First Lutheran Church. He will be fondly remembered for his love of horses and passion for raising any type of animal his farm or home would hold. Besides his love of animals, Dar had a deeper love for his family and friends. When Dar wasn’t working or farming, you would find him at his favorite eating establishments which were several over the years, but most recently was Johnny Mars.

Dar is survived by his three daughters, Karen (Bob) Nielsen of Westfield, Iowa, and their sons, Darwin and Kalen Kluender; Kathy (Daryl) Barker of Bellevue, Neb., and their children, Tasha Barker, Tisha Berger, Donnie and Kevin Barker; and Karol (Brent) Hoefer of Sioux City, and their daughter, Katie Byrd; son, Keith (Kim) Hawkins of Sioux City, and their children, Hilary and Tyler Hawkins; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Ardith “Ardy” (Herbert) Burns of Pheonix, Ariz.; two sisters-in-laws, Sally Torgerson of North Carolina, and Jacque Torgerson of Colorado; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Zoaline; and two brothers, Verlin “Toad” and Allen “Whitey” Torgerson.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Marty and Teresa for their love and support of Dar and his beloved animals on “The 40”. A heartfelt thank you to all the granddaughters and grandsons for all their caring help for Grandpa Dar. He was well loved.