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ARNOLD TORKELSON

GILMORE CITY — Funeral services for Arnold Jacob Torkelson, 87, of rural Gilmore City will be held Saturday, October 3rd, at 10:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 1005 11th Avenue North, Humboldt. Visitation will be Friday, October 2nd, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall of the church. Please use the west entrance. The family requests face masks be worn. The Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt is in charge of arrangements.

Arnold passed away quietly at home with his wife by his side on Tuesday, September 29, 2020. He was born on July 16, 1933, to Jacob and Amy (Warland) Torkelson at their home in rural Humboldt County. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Humboldt. He began school in Rutland and graduated from Humboldt High School in 1952.

Arnold was united in marriage to Mildred Kirchhof on December 13, 1953, at Zion Lutheran Church located in Beaver Township, Humboldt County. They made their home and began farming and milking cows west of Humboldt, on the same farm where Arnold was born. While farming there, Mildred and Arnold’s six children were born. In 1964 the family moved to a farm east of Pioneer, where they’ve lived for the past 56 years.

He was an active member of his community, serving on both the Gilmore City-Bradgate School Board and the Humboldt County Fair Board for several terms. He was a long-time member of Zion Lutheran Church in Humboldt where he served in many positions on the church council and also served as a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent. Arguably, his greatest service was in solving many of the world’s problems during the morning coffee therapy sessions at the Pioneer grain elevator. He was a loving and faithful husband, a dedicated and involved father, and a very fun grandpa.

Arnold is survived by his wife, Mildred; children: Cynthia Bandstra, Chattanooga, TN; Mike (Mary) Torkelson, West Branch; Becky (Randy) Jones, Anderson, SC; Shelly Phillips, Humboldt; and Dave (Joni) Torkelson, Thor; 15 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren; siblings: Lois Christopher, Pearl Pedersen, Jean Lehman, Esther (Keith) Presler, Ruby (Don) Thompson, Russell (Loralee) Torkelson, David (Carol) Torkelson, Steven Torkelson, and Bruce (Mary) Torkelson; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter Jackie (Brad) Daggy; son-in-law Tom Bandstra; and sisters and in-laws: Naomi Torkelson, Dick Christopher, Cecil Pedersen, Melvin Lehman, Beverly and Ralph Bowen, Nina and Mike Abrams, and Paula Torkelson.