Paul E. Torgerson

Paul E. Torgerson, age 90 of Park River, ND, passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at the Park River Good Samaritan Center.

Paul Elvert Torgerson was born in Fairdale, ND on October 28, 1934 to Clinton and Verna (Overbye) Torgerson. He served in the US Marine Corp from 1955-1958, stationed in Okinawa. Following his service he worked at Polar Telephone Company as crew foreman. While working for Polar he met and married Joyce Espelien. They had two children, Larry and Patty. Joyce passed away on August 8, 2022.

In 1969 he opened Paul’s Service, later renamed Torgerson Oil. During his 35 years in the service station business he was proud to have given many high school students their first job and taught the majority how to count change.

After retirement from the service station business in 2004, Paul, who couldn’t sit idle, converted an old granary into a cabin at the Espelien farm for his family and friends to enjoy.

Paul was a member of the Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and the Park River American Legion Post #147.  He was also a former member of the PR Jaycees, PR Ambulance and PR Fire Dept, serving as chief for 3 years, and the Park River City Council.

Paul is survived by children: Larry Torgerson and Patty Eidenschink; Grandchildren: Jessica (Sean) Gamlin, Brian (Kelsie) Torgerson, Melissa (Jack) Best, Jordan (Madison) Eidenschink. Great-grandchildren: Chase, Harper, Ava, Sunny, Esme, Rowan, Emmet, Otis, Declan, Emilie & Ryker. Siblings: Ellen Scott, Dave (Jane) Torgerson, Cathy (Roger) Fredrickson, Mary (Carl) Graves, Pete (Linda) Torgerson, Joe (Donnell) Torgerson, Fern Rath, and Becky Lueck.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, wife Joyce, brothers Jim & Henry and son-in-law Mike Eidenschink.

Memorial services will be Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM at the Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Park River.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service.  The service will be live streamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home website. Inurnment with military rites provided by the Park River American Legion Post #147 and the US Marine Corps Honor Guard will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery in the spring.