Shirley Torgeson

Shirley Marie (Johnson) Torgeson, 92, of Paynesville, formerly of Kensington, MN, died on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at the Paynesville Care Center in Paynesville, MN.

Shirley Marie Torgeson was born June 28, 1930, in Wheaton, MN to Einar and Dagny (Pearson) Johnson. Shirley spent her childhood years on the family farm in White Rock, South Dakota. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith.  Shirley attended the Wheaton Public School, graduating from Wheaton High School, and furthering her education at the Aberdeen Teachers College in Aberdeen, South Dakota.  She taught at the White Rock Public School until her marriage.

Shirley and Thomas Torgeson were married June 6, 1954 in White Rock, South Dakota.  They lived and farmed on the Torgeson Family Farm by Kensington, and Shirley was a homemaker raising five children, Kristine, Karla, Kay, Lee, and Lynn.   She later taught special education with the Kensington Public School, retiring in 2002.  Shirley enjoyed sewing beautiful wedding dresses, detailed quilts, and thousands of vinyl purses. She loved to garden, was an avid exerciser, and enjoyed coffee with friends. You could always find Shirley in the kitchen baking delicious breads and apple bars. She also loved spending time with her family.  She was a member of First Lutheran Church where she was active with the Ladies Aid and a proud member of the Farmers Union.

Survived by her four children, Kristine (George) Anderson of Richfield, MN, Kay (Chris) Kowanko of Upper Jay, NY, Lee Torgeson of Kensington, MN and Lynn (Pat) Sieben of Eden Valley, MN; three grandchildren, Quinn (Kevin) Watts of River Falls, WI, Anna Kowanko of Boston, MA, and Julia Sieben of Waconia, MN; three sisters, Ruby Burgess of Simpsonville, SC, Darlene Stephenson of Lutz, FL and Bonnie Fedders of Gering, NE; and by numerous relatives and friends.  Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Torgeson; daughter, Karla Torgeson; sister, Joyce Bach; and brother, Roy Johnson.

Graveside: 9:00 a.m., Saturday, August 13, 2022, at the First Lutheran Cemetery, Kensington, MN

Clergy: Rev. Irv Arnquist

Funeral arrangements are with the Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Hoffman for Shirley Torgeson.