Dennis Torkelson

Dennis Daniel Torkelson, lifelong resident of Foxhome, was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 21, 2007, at 66 years of age. Born in Breckenridge, MN to Oscar & Emma Torkelson on January 18, 1941, he graduated from the Ag School in Morris in 1959 and also attended one year of college there, finishing his BS degree at NDSU in Dairy Husbandry in 1964. Dennis served six years in the Fergus Falls National Guard unit serving his country. He was united in marriage to Judy Slegers in Milnor in 1967, celebrating 40 years of marriage. They have two children, Brent (LeeAnn) Torkelson and their children, Silas, Titus and Elias of Foxhome, and Karey (Terry) Hoff and their children, MacKiah and Cayden of Memphis, Tennessee. Dennis and Judy had a livestock operation and raised wheat, corn, soybeans and sugar beets and were original stockholders with the Minn-Dak sugar beet factory in Wahpeton. Active in church and community, Dennis was a member of the Breckenridge Gideon Camp for 22 years, Wilkin County Soil and Water Board for 20 years, Rothsay School Board for two terms, and a member of Stiklestad/Calvary Free Lutheran Church since 1974. He served as Sunday School teacher, Deacon and Chairman and of the congregation. He was an active participant in the Wilkin County 4-H program and the MN Crop Improvement Association. Dennis was honored as King Agassiz of Wilkin County in 1979; Outstanding Conservation Farmer in 1983; Dennis and Judy received the Farmer and Homemakers Award in 1998 and Farm Family of the year in 1991. Dennis spent the last 16 days of his life on his family farm, where he lived for 43 years, under the care of his devoted family and Hospice of the Red River Valley. Prior to that he spent many days in the last eight weeks under hospitalization at Merit Care North and Merit Care South/ Palliative Care. His battle with bone cancer was courageous. He didn't lose the fight, but won the victory into the heavenly realms. As an eternal optimist, Dennis will be greatly missed by family and friends. His journey is recorded at www.caringbridge.org/visit/dennistorkelson . His life was dedicated to his faith, his family/friends and his farm. Striving to be a man after God's heart, a devoted and intentional husband and father, and a farmer who was passionate and privileged to be a steward of the soil, were his lifelong goals. Those who knew him admired and respected him. His legacy will be kept alive through his children and his children's children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Emma Torkelson; infant niece, Cynthia Torkelson and brother-in-law, Cecil Morris. He is survived by his wife; children; grandchildren; sister, Lois Morris of Fergus Falls; brother, Robert (Ruby) Torkelson of Fergus Falls, and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested for the Gideons, Oasis of Hope (Terry & Karey's ministry), Hospice, Calvary Free Lutheran Church or Rothsay Baptist Church. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church Service: 10:30 am Wednesday at Bethel Lutheran Church, 702 West Alcott, Fergus Falls Clergy: Pastors James Johnson, Leon Andersen and Rodger Olson Interment: Stiklestad Free Lutheran Cemetery, rural Doran Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, 711 Pebble Lake Road, Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com