Theodore Jennings Torgelson
Theodore Jennings Torgelson, age 87, of Alexandria, MN, formerly of rural Appleton, died Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at his home surrounded by family.
Visitation will be from 5–7 p.m. Friday, March 17, 2017, at Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson. Visitation will continue from 10–11 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 18, 2017, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Interment will be in the Big Bend Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home.
T. Jennings Torgelson was born July 27, 1929, in Westbank Township, Swift County, Minnesota. He was the son of Arne Theodore and Mamie (Ostby) Torgelson, the youngest of five children. He was baptized and confirmed at Big Bend Lutheran Church by Pastor C.T. Jenson. Jennings attended Dist. #75 country school, and graduated from Appleton High School in 1947. On January 27, 1962, Jennings was united in marriage to Margaret Ann Lindstrom at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson. This union was blessed with more than 55 years of marriage, 3 children, and 8 grandchildren.
Jennings farmed the Torgelson Family Farm for 44 years until his retirement in 1991. Although retired, farming was in his blood. Fixing, checking the fields and spending hours in the combine were standard for him to the end. He was an active member of Big Bend Lutheran Church serving on the church council, pastoral call committee, and as a Sunday School Superintendent and teacher. Jennings was a Swift County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor and a member of the Barnes-Aastad Soil Research Center in Morris. He was an active member of the Benson Male Chorus and Swift County Rural Youth.
In 1997 Jennings and Margaret moved to Lake Geneva in Alexandria, fulfilling their lifelong dream of living at the lake. Jennings was always ready for a “road trip” in their van or RV. There were no “fly over” states in his mind. He settled for plane tickets for their travel to Scandinavia, Germany, and Costa Rica. In Alexandria, Jennings was a member of the Golden Kiwanis and Calvary Lutheran Church. In September, they moved to Grand Arbor Independent Living Center in Alexandria.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Alexandria; children: T. Jay (Alana) Torgelson of Corona del Mar, CA, Ann (Greg) Stehn of Spicer, and Amy (Cory) Forsberg of Penngrove, CA; grandchildren: T. Jennings Torgelson, Samantha Torgelson, Jayna Torgelson, Kayla Torgelson, Hannah (Elliot) Eckhoff, Shelby Stehn, Aubrey Forsberg, and Olin Forsberg; and brothers-in-law, Harold Shellum and Harry Hartnell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Mamie Torgelson; and siblings: Evelyn (Clarence) Thompson, Myrtle (Ernie) Gilsrud, Ruth Shellum, and Judith Hartnell. Blessed be his memory.
Please sign the guest book at: www.zniewskifuneralhome.com
