Ruth B. Torgerson

Ruth B. Torgerson, 95 passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2013, at the Colfax Health and Rehabilitation Center, Colfax, WI. She had lived at the Center for four years, resided at the Chippewa Manor in Chippewa Falls, WI, for six years, and previously lived independently in Colfax for four years. Ruth was born in Calumet, MI, on April 24, 1917, and was one of seven children born to Ben and Augusta (Halvorson) Anderson, who were immigrants from Norway. The family moved to Dunn County in 1918, where she was raised on a family farm half way between Boyceville and Wheeler. She attended Pine Grove School, across from the farm, and one year at Boyceville High School, before transferring to "Aggie", the Dunn County School for Agriculture and Domestic Science, from which she graduated in 1935. One of her fondest memories was singing a solo for graduation at the Mabel Tainter Theater. It was at Aggie that she met her classmate and future husband, Truman Torgerson, a farm boy from Meridean, WI. The two were Prom King and Queen during their junior year and actively participated in the school's sports, drama and clubs. Following graduation, she did housekeeping work in St. Paul, MN, and later worked for the shoe mail order division of Montgomery Ward. The couple was married at Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul on September 17, 1938, and lived in Madison, WI, where Truman was finishing his studies at the University of Wisconsin's College of Agriculture. Ruth and Truman moved to Tony, WI, and later to Ladysmith, WI. In 1943, they moved to Manitowoc, WI, which became their home for over 53 years. Ruth did outstanding work supporting Truman's role as county agricultural extension agent for Rusk and Manitowoc counties, and especially in his role as general manager of the newly organized Lake to Lake Dairy Cooperative. Ruth was an active member of First Lutheran Church in Manitowoc. She also enjoyed entertaining, golfing, bowling, fishing, singing and dancing. Ruth was a very caring and nurturing mother and loved spending time with family and friends. The couple raised five children, Randall (Sue) of Alexandra, VA, Pat (Joel) Peterson of Madison, WI, Ollie of Rhinelander, WI, Ted (Carol) of Callaway, MN, and Nan (John) Bethmann of Colfax, WI. Ruth is survived by her children; eleven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and a brother, Roy Anderson of Chippewa Falls. She is preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother, Alf; and four sisters, Helen, Gudrun, Dagmar and Nora. A funeral service will be held at 11a.m. on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at the Colfax Lutheran Church with Pastor Leslie Walck officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Town of Peru Cemetery, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Colfax Lutheran Church.

Service Information

Cemetery

Peru Cemetery
90th Avenue & County Road O
Peru WI 54755

Visitation

Saturday, March 9 2013
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Colfax Lutheran Church
601 River Street
Colfax WI 54730

Funeral Service

Saturday, March 9 2013
11:00 AM

Colfax Lutheran Church
601 River Street
Colfax WI 54730

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