Phyllis K Torgrimson

Phyllis Katheryn (Heald) Winslow Torgrimson, 85, of Fergus Falls, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. 

Phyllis was born on January 22, 1941, in Minneapolis MN to Phillip and Ruth (Johnson) Heald. She grew up in Ashby, MN and attended Ashby Public School. Her Mother passed away unexpectedly when she was 7 and her baby sister, Marlys was only 1, leaving the girls to be raised by their father. She quickly became the caretaker of the house, and the caregiver to Marlys. 

She met her first love, Carroll Winslow, at a dance and they were married on September 21, 1957. They eventually made their home in Ada, MN Phyllis decided to go back to school for Medical Records. So, with a full-time job at the Ada Hospital and 4 little girls at home, she drove to Moorhead every day and went to Moorhead Technical Institute (MSTATE). She graduated with a 4.0 average and worked at the Ada Hospital until 1981. Carroll's job took them to Watford City, ND for a few years and then to Winger, MN where they were closer to friends and family. Phyllis worked at the Fosston Clinic until her retirement in spring of 1989. They decided to move closer to their home area and purchased a house on Pelican Lake outside of Ashby MN. Carroll died unexpectedly on October 24th, 1989. They had been married 32 years. Phyllis was only 48 and knew she needed to go back to work. Phyllis and her sister Marlys decided to purchase the grocery store in town that had been closed. They connected with L.B.Hartz grocery store chain in Thief River Falls, MN and opened Heald's Hartz. She loved working at the store. Being an Ashby native, it was so fun to see all the local people and get to connect with them again. Her favorite thing was being at the front till so she could visit with everyone. It was in Ashby that she met Johnny Torgrimson. She sold the store in February of 1993.

Johnny and Phyllis eloped on November 27th, 1993. It was the day after Thanksgiving, and they hadn't told anyone what they were up to. They had to drive to Sioux Falls, SD to find a judge that was working after the holiday. We were all very surprised, and happy that they had found each other. Johnny was a great addition to the family, the best Bonus Dad and Grandpa. They had 26 happy years together until Johnny's death June 22, 2020. 

The last 6 years Phyllis was a resident at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls, MN. Although she missed her home at the lake and her kitties, she loved visiting with all her new friends, all the people that helped and cared for her, and Bingo! The view out her window of the pond was beautiful and she would sit and read books and watch the geese and their babies. She was always very happy and content.

Phyllis's way of paying it forward was when she started the "Caring Neighbors" out of her home. She had boxes and boxes of clothes that had been donated and she would fill her truck and drive around to food drop locations and set up the free tables of clothes. Nothing came back with her except the feeling of helping others. She worked with Social Workers, Fire victims and domestic situations. It grew so big it was moved to Ashby, to what was the Napa store. With the help of volunteers, and members of Bethel Church it grew even bigger. Not just clothes, but household items and furniture. They would get anonymous information from Social Workers, and they would purchase backpacks and supplies for school children, and Christmas presents for families. She was recognized by the United Way for what she did for the people of Grant, Ottertail and Wilken County. This project was very dear to her heart. She didn't like to see people or children in need and just wanted to help any way she could. 

She was so excited when her grandchildren came along. Cydney and Jameson were the light of her life. She loved to have them come and stay anytime she could. They would take them on the bike path or sliding or just out visiting. If they were working on a job site, they sometimes took them with. Her favorite was the afternoons at Eagle Lake watching the kids play in the water. She was so proud of the loving, caring adults they became. Then came Great-Grandchild Navyana. She would light up when she saw her. When Navy was around no one else mattered. 

Phyllis enjoyed music, visiting with friends and family, playing cards, traveling, but most of all Dancing! In her younger years they went out dancing every Saturday night with their group of friends. They made the waltz and the polka look easy.

Phyllis was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Americal Legion Auxiliary, and the Red Hats Society. 

She will lovingly be remembered by her four daughters, Kim (Bruce) Kallhoff of Moorhead, MN, Dottie Norton of Omak, WA, Shyanne (Jody) Crutchfield, Perry, GA, Christine (James) Pralle, Battle Lake, MN; Grandchildren: Paul Norton, Omak WA, Cydney Pralle, Fargo ND, Jameson Pralle, Moorhead, MN; Great-Grandchild: Navyana Thorstad, Fargo, ND.

She is welcomed in heaven by her husbands, Johnny Torgrimson and Carroll Winslow; her sister Marlys Klimp; brother-in-law William Klimp; and nephew Bradley Klimp.

There will be a celebration of life at 11:00 AM, Friday, July 10th, 2026, at PioneerCare, Fergus Falls, MN. Visitation will be Friday starting at 10:00 AM until time of service.

Arrangements by Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls.