TORKELSON – Kenneth “Ken” L. Torkelson, a longtime resident of La Grande, died Sunday, July 13, 2003 at his home in La Grande, of natural causes. He was 74 years old. Funeral Services were conducted Friday, July 18, 2003 at 10:00 A.M. in the Church Of The Nazarene, 109 Eighteenth Street, La Grande, Oregon 97805. Officiating at the services will be Harley Kauffman of the Grande Ronde Mennonite Church. Vault interment will follow in the Cove Cemetery, Cove, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorials in the memory of Mr. Torkelson to the Christian Aid Ministries, care of the Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 4th. Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850. Mr. Torkelson was born October 25, 1928 in Duchess, Alberta, Canada. He was the son of Severt E. and Rosa (Eggers) Torkelson. At age 4, Mr. Torkelson’s mother died, and he began attending school in Duchess. Then at age 7, he moved with his father to Kansas. He continued his schooling in Kansas and also had attended schools, and lived in Missouri for a time. He married Grace Lauver on October 9, 1949 in Duchess Alberta Canada. The family made their home in Duchess. Mr. Torkelson was in partnership with his father-in-law, and owned and operated many businesses in that area including a school bus business, and a bulk fuel and fertilizer company. He continued to own and operate those and other businesses until he and his wife moved to the La Grande area in 1988. He and his wife have continued to reside in our area since that time. He was a member of the Grande Ronde Mennonite Church in Cove. He greatly enjoyed hunting, fishing, making birdhouses, and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Grace Torkelson of La Grande, 7 children and their spouses, Bettyanne & David Gingerich of Shedd, Oregon; Earl Torkelson of Brooks, Alberta Canada; Phyllis & Menno Amendt of Danskin, British Columbia Canada; Kelvin & Donna Torkelson of La Grande, Oregon; Charlene & George Amendt of Danskin British Columbia, Canada. Allen & Crystal Torkelson of Duchess Alberta, Canada; and Kent & Amy Torkelson of Boise, Idaho. One brother, Norman Torkelson of Duchess, Alberta Canada; 22 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by 2 daughters, Arlene, and Violet, as well as five brothers and his parents. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
