Olga Torkelson

Olga Torkelson, 92, of Moose Lake died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 8, at Augustana Mercy Health Care Center with family by her side.

Olga was born on Oct. 12, 1921, in Finlayson to Lily (Peitso) and August Werronen. She grew up on the family farm, graduated from Finlayson High School in 1940, and married Millerd Torkelson of Willow River on April 18, 1942.

Olga and Millerd raised five children on the Torkelson family farm, where Olga was a homemaker and farm wife. Millerd passed away on Sunday, June 19, 1977.

Olga was a member of the Part-Time Homemakers Club for many years, and served on the Denham Co-op Store Board.

Olga was active in her children's lives - as a leader in the Denham Hustlers 4-H Club, a Sunday school teacher and as a youth leader at the Moose Lake Assembly of God, later known as the Family Worship Church. Olga also served as president of the Women's Ministries and on the Board of Deacons of the church. She started a Sunday morning service at the health care center, which her daughter, Melva, has continued to this day.

Olga accompanied her daughters in taking college courses when she was in her 60s, and she served as an instructor for the 55 Alive Mature Driving class for several years. Olga earned her Christian Worker's Certificate through a home study course, which allowed her to comfort people as a lay minister, her passion.

Olga also worked for the Green Thumb program at the state hospital with adults with disabilities, in the elementary library at the Willow River school, and at the Mercy Health Care Center.

Olga also enjoyed sewing and handwork, and her family and friends have many of her quilts, afghans, place mats, table runners and dishcloths.

On her 70th birthday on Oct. 12, 1991, Olga married Mel Kutzke in Moose Lake. The couple divorced in 2000.


Olga is preceded in death by Millerd, an infant daughter, Alvena, her parents, her step-mother, Helmi, and sisters Ailie, Mae, Elaine and Edythe; and brothers Edward, Leonard "Wilbert" and Eino, and her daughter-in-law, Jill Torkelson.

Olga is survived by sister Elna and brother Loyde, and her children: Lois (Russell) Johnson, Melva (Lennon) Hecker, Edna (Robert) Jackson, Leon (Julie) Torkelson and Jean (Michael) Zimmerman, as well as 10 grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, and it will continue on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 10 a.m. at the Family Worship Church in Moose Lake, with the funeral service at 11 a.m. Pastors John Venske and Hal Kamppi will officiate, and Kathy Wieditz will provide the music.

Burial will be in Sunnyside Cemetery in Willow River.

Arrangements by the Hamlin-Hanson-Kosloski Funeral Home.