Ray Ernest Torkelson

Ray Ernest Torkelson age 82 of Tracy, MN died Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at the Sanford-Tracy Area Medical Center. Services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, August 14, 2010 at Tracy Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 PM Friday, August 13, 2010 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM and continuing one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. A luncheon will be served immediately following the service, with the interment to follow in the Restland Memory Gardens in Slayton, MN at 1:30 PM. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements. Ray Ernest Torkelson was born December 27, 1927 to Chris and Adeline (Nemitz) Torkelson in Worthington, MN. Ray was baptized at the First Presbyterian Church in Wilmont, MN and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Iona, MN. He attended country school five miles north of Wilmont. Ray worked on the family farm until enlisting in the US Navy in October of 1952. He received his transfer from active duty to the Naval Reserves in October of 1956 and received his honorable discharge in October of 1960. He then returned to the family farm. On November 25, 1961 Ray married Marlene O. Johnson at Tracy Lutheran Church in Tracy, MN. Besides working on the family farm, Ray went to work part-time for Koob’s Implement in Slayton, MN until moving to Currie, MN in 1971. He then went to work on the Malone farm for 31 years, until his health forced him to retire. Ray enjoyed being a “shade tree mechanic” in his free time. He was also a Golden Gloves boxer from 1947 to 1949 in Slayton. His greatest love was spending time with his wife, kids, grandchildren and great grandchildren. One of the favorite things the grandchildren recall about grandpa was his tire swing rides when he got home from work. On Wednesday, August 11, 2010 Ray died, surrounded by his loving family, at the Sanford-Tracy Area Medical Center at the age of 82. Ray is survived by his wife, Marlene Torkelson of Tracy, MN; three sons, Greg (Lori) Torkelson of Tracy, MN, Kenny Torkelson of Worthington, MN and Steve (Roxanne) Torkelson of Olivia, MN; six daughters, Marie (Charlie) Bjorklund of Tracy, MN, Lynn (Dave) Petersen of Tracy, MN, Lori Carlson of Balaton, MN, Shari Thomas of Tracy, MN, Amy Lamfers of Tracy, MN and Kari (Jim Sykora) Torkelson of Marshall, MN; twenty seven grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; one brother, Donald Torkelson of Howard, SD; nieces, nephews and many friends. His son, John Charles Torkelson, his parents, two sisters, Dorothy Jorgensen and Stella Schmit, infant sister, Betty, brother, Lester Torkelson, infant brother, Elmer Torkelson and his great granddaughter, Madyson Stirn preceded him in death.