Audrey Jean Torgerson

Audrey J. Torgerson

Audrey Jean Torgerson, 87, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Tuesday, January 26, 2016, at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.

Audrey was born to George and Myrtle Anderson on Friday, October 26, 1928, on the Berven Farm in Swenoda Township, Swift County, near Benson, MN. She was baptized on December 2, 1928, at Big Bend Lutheran Church and confirmed in May of 1940, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Montevideo. She moved with her family from Montevideo to Fergus Falls when she was a freshman in high school. She graduated from Washington High School in Fergus Falls, in May of 1946. She became engaged to Arvid Torgerson on October 26, 1945, and on September 14, 1946, they were married at First English (Lutheran) Church in Fergus Falls.

Her first job was selling hats at O’Mearas. There she worked for “Ingeborg” who made the hat for her wedding. As Arvid’s job with the telephone company kept them on the move, she worked various jobs, including a telephone operator in Henning and Park Rapids. When there were no more telephone operators, she worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Ringer Plant in Park Rapids. When they moved to St. Paul, she worked as a nurse’s aide for Midway Hospital. After moving back to Fergus Falls, she worked at the clinic when it was downtown and then as the office manager for the local cable company for many years.

Audrey was a member of First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. She enjoyed spending time reading, baking, making jam, shopping, decorating, and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She especially loved butterflies and hummingbirds.

Preceding her in death were her parents, George and Myrtle Anderson; a son, James Wesley, in 1956; and her husband, Arvid, in 2004.

Audrey is survived by one son, Gregory (Marj) Torgerson of Mound; four daughters, Deborah Degner (John of Wells) of Duluth, Jacquelin (Ben) Nelson of Fergus Falls, Denise Baker of Rochester and Kathleen Saunders of Alexandria; six grandchildren, Tammy Nelson, Ross (Misty) Baker, James Degner, Stuart Saunders, Anna (Justin) Praska and Cole Saunders; step-grandchildren, Brandon, Justin, Gene, Ross and Adam Mitchell; four great-grandchildren, Austin, Carter and Alli Praska and Rylan Baker; one sister, Barbara (Lloyd) Amundson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation: 4:00-6:00 PM on Friday, January 29, 2016, at the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, with a prayer service at 6:00PM
Clergy: Reverend Kate Bruns
Private family burial.