Gertrude A. Torstad

Gertrude A. "Gert" Torstad, age 88 of Grafton, ND passed into eternity on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at her home in Grafton. Gertrude was born June 19, 1921 in Ardoch, ND to Coral and James Dalbey. She was adopted and raised by Fannie and Walter Morwood after her mother passed away in 1923. Gertrude graduated from Forest River High School and then attended beauty school in Fargo. Gertrude married Richard VanderLinden in 1945 and he preceded her in death in 1948. She married Alvin Torstad in 1951 and he preceded her in death in 1987. Gertrude worked at the Developmental Center for 23 years until her retirement in 1988. Gertrude enjoyed crocheting among many other crafts and leaves that legacy with her daughters and granddaughters. She loved her flowers and her raspberry patch. She enjoyed her involvement over the years with the American Legion Auxiliary, the V.F. W. Auxiliary, the Eagles Auxiliary, the Sunset Home Auxiliary and the Hospital Auxiliary. Gertrude was blessed with great health until a sudden series of heart attacks this past week. Gertrude is survived by her daughters: Karen (Terry) Larson, Rogers City, MI; Jan (Scott) Phelps, Grafton, ND; Julie Torstad (Alan Kramer) Plano, TX; and Lori (Steve) Layton, Brush Lake, ND; her grandchildren: Heidi (Jon) Parsons, Bartlett, IL; Kristi (Frank) Supanich, Stanwood, MI; Daniel Larson, Lansing, MI; Kelly Houska, Grafton, ND; Korey Houska, Minneapolis, MN; Brady Phelps, Grafton, ND; Nathan Chase (Amanda Smotherman), Bismarck, ND; great grandchildren: Kaitlyn Parsons, Zoe, Jocelyn and Grace Supanich, Ethan Houska, Abby Grace Hanson and Lilly Anna Chase. She is also survived by her brothers: Chuck Dalbey, Desert Palm Springs, Ca; Dale (Candice) Dalbey, Billings, MT; sister Evelyn (David) Darr, Fairmount, IL; and sister-in-law: Lillian Torstad, Anaheim, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, youngest daughter, Becky Torstad, great grandsons: Matthew Parsons, Donovan Hanson and great granddaughter Annelise Mattson.