John Robert Torgerson

Rushford, MN John R. Torgerson, 79, of Rushford, MN, died Sunday, June 29, 2008 at Lake Winona Manor in Winona, MN after a brief battle with cancer. John was born on April 9, 1929 in LaCrosse, WI to John and Clara (Ekre) Torgerson. He graduated from Rushford High School in 1946 and worked at Woll's Dairy until he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, he went back to work for Woll's. On January 20, 1954, John married Lois Sievers at St. John's Lutheran Church in Hart. John worked for three years at Midland as a service repairman and then Himlie Brothers as a carpenter until his retirement. In 1976, John and Lois moved to the Sievers family farm. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Hart, served on the church council and was the superintendent of Sunday school, was a member of the Hart Township Board, American Legion, and the Firing Squad. He was a true craftsman, enjoyed gardening, and could fix anything. John most valued his religion and his family. He will be dearly missed. John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lois of Rushford; five children, Rhonda (Rick) Brand of Rushford, Jill (Jack) O'Donnell of Rushford, Jan (Lynn) Haugen of Lanesboro, Faye (Michael) Baker of Milpitas, CA, and James Torgerson of South St. Paul; 14 grandchildren, Ryan (Rebecca) Brand, Rachel (Nate) Rivers, Raeanna (Paul) Tveten, Jeremy (Mae) O'Donnell, Jessica (Chad Ruport) O'Donnell, Jeffrey, Jenelle, and Jonathan O'Donnell, Matt Colbenson, Tessa (Tim) Diepenbrock, Wade Colbenson, Laura, Dana, and Jason Baker; six great-grandchildren, Owen, Ettalia, Annabelle, Aiden, Kalli, and Kennedy; sister, Ellen (Wilbert) Feine of Rushford; sister-in-law, Alice Torgerson of Winona; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, a baby boy, sister Telona, and three brothers, Tilman, Leland, and James. The Funeral Service for John will be held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Hart with the Reverend Hal Hintzman officiating. Burial will take place at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Hart. Friends may call from 4-8pm on Tuesday, July 1 at Hoff Funeral Homes - Rushford Chapel and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, John's family requests memorials are directed to St. John's Lutheran Church, American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.Please feel free to share a memory of John with his family, sign the on-line guestbook and view his Video Tribute at www.hofffuneral.com
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/22353