Helen Torkelson

Helen Torkelson, age 95 of rural Grafton, ND passed away on Tuesday, December 7, 2016 at the Lutheran Sunset Home of Grafton.

Helen Elshaug was born May 18, 1921 in Grafton, ND, the daughter of the late John and Johanna (Anderson) Elshaug. She attended school near Grafton. She was united in marriage to Millard Torkelson in Crookston on April 17, 1941. The couple made their home in rural Grafton. He passed away on September 11, 1997. Helen moved to the Lutheran Sunset Home on March 4, 2015. Helen was a member of the Grafton Lutheran Church. Prior to her membership there, she had been a long time, active member of South Trinity Lutheran church, rural Grafton, where she sang in the church choir, taught Sunday School and was a member of WELCA. She was also a member of the Homemaker’s Club. She enjoyed cooking and lefse was one of her specialties. She is survived by her children: Diane (Mark Leon) Torkelson; San Francisco, CA, Tom (Deborah) Torkelson, Grafton, Son-in-Law: Dale Hauge, Ames, IA; seven grandchildren: Eric (Erika) Torkelson, Grand Forks, ND, Andrew and Evan Torkelson, Grafton, Brian (Amy) Hauge, Boone, IA and Tammy (Dave) Preuss, Edgewood, IA; four great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren all of Iowa, sister: Marilyn Hovde of Grafton, Sisters-in-Law: Irene Elshaug and Margaret Elshaug and special Farm Exchange Student Bill (Jelly) Tulner of the Netherlands. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and daughter: Linda Hauge; sisters: Emily (Clarence) Viger, Mabel (Martin) Kennelly, Ruth (Roland) Riopelle, Ruby (Ernest) Skjerven, June (Harvey) Skjerven and brothers: Roy (Irene), Edward, Leonard (Martha) and Willard Elshaug. Funeral services will be Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 1:00 PM at the Grafton Lutheran Church. Visitation will be Saturday at 11:00 until the time of the service at the church. Interment will be at the South Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in rural Grafton.