With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Marlys May (Bekke) Torgerson on September 10, 2023, who passed away at the age of 94. She was predeceased by her parents Martin and Magda (Stubskin) Bekke; husband Clayton Torgerson; sister Doris Anderson; brothers Kermitt, Nolan, and Walter Bekke.
She is survived by, sons, Peter Torgerson (Pamela) of Washington Court House, OH, and Paul Torgerson (Sandra) of Rush City, MN; grandchildren, Eric Torgerson (Amanda) of Columbus OH, Andrea Hark (James) of Dublin OH, and Andrew Torgerson (Kimberly) of Eau Claire WI; great grandchildren, Blaise and Jude Torgerson, James and Jaxon Hark, and Cole and Finn Torgerson; sister, Shirley Johnson (Calvin) and sister-in-laws Nancy Bekke (Nolan) and Sandra Torgerson (Donald) and brother-in-law, Dewey Anderson (Doris). She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Marlys was born on May 11, 1929 in Vining MN. She grew up on a farm where Norwegian was spoken in the home. When she began school in Vining she only knew Norwegian, but quickly learned English. She graduated from Battle Lake High School in 1947 and St. Cloud Business College in 1948. Prior to marriage she worked at Otter Tail Power in Fergus Falls. She married Clayton Torgerson May 28, 1950. Following marriage, she worked at Dakota National Bank in Fargo and at a photo studio near Fort Rucker, AL where Clayton was in training prior to leaving for Korea. After his discharge from the Army, in 1952 Clayton and Marlys moved to Staples MN where Clayton started his chiropractic practice and she worked as a bookkeeper for Peterson Biddick Feed and Seed. After the birth of their first son Peter in 1953 they moved to Ada MN where Clayton continued his chiropractic practice and Marlys worked as the legal secretary for the Norman County Attorney for many years. She later worked as a Deputy Norman County Court Administrator. In 1985 Marlys and Clayton moved to Fergus Falls where she served as Chief Deputy Court Administrator, Civil Division for Otter Tail County. Upon her retirement from Otter Tail County in 1992, Marlys and Clayton moved to Inver Grove Heights to live closer to son Paul and his family. Following Clayton’s death she moved to Timber Hills Presbyterian Home in 2009. In 2022 she moved to Encore in North Branch.
Marlys was a loving mother and excellent homemaker. She was known for her sandbakkels, toffee bars and meatballs. She was a hard worker both at home and at the office. For a number of years, she was required to be the primary provider for the family as her husband was blinded by macular degeneration. She took only one-week maternity leave from the County Attorney’s Office following the birth of her second son in 1959.
She was active in church wherever she lived, most recently Good Shepherd Lutheran in Inver Grove Heights. For their annual Scandinavian dinners she made hundreds of sandbakkels for several years. She volunteered at Meals on Wheels and also helped neighbors whenever needed.
While she will be missed so very much by all that loved her, they rejoice that she was able to live a long and fulfilling life, and that she is now reunited with Clayton and other family and friends in Heaven.
Memorial Service 11:00 am Monday, September 18th, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7600 Cahill Ave., Inver Grove Heights, and will be livestreamed at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/5090836464. Visitation 10:00 am-11:00 am prior to the service at church. Luncheon to follow. Private interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.