Mary Anne Torgrimson

Mary Anne Torgrimson, 87, passed away on Sunday, March 18, 2018. Our loving Savior called her home abruptly but not unexpectedly. She will be remembered as a loving caregiver, loyal friend and the matriarch for our family. She is now at rest and will be missed by many.

Mary Anne was born at home and grew up on farms in the Evansville area. Her education began in District 72 in a one room school house and progressed through graduation from Evansville High School in 1948. She met and married Lowell Ole Torgrimson in 1949 and lived in Ashby, MN where he ran a bulk fuel oil business. In 1952 they moved to Warba, MN where Lowell drove truck in the open pit iron mines. In 1955 their family moved to St. Paul and in 1961, purchased a home in Coon Rapids, MN. Upon retirement, they moved back to Ashby in 1993.

Mary Anne was a born caregiver. As her older children prepared for college in 1967, she re-entered the workforce as a health aid at Mercy Hospital in Anoka, MN. She took classes and later became a health professional in the Anoka Hennepin School District and served many families and children over the next 25 years. She became known as the “nurse” that gave the best hugs to the children and staff she cared so deeply for. She retired in 1992.

Her faith and her church community were a priority in her life; at Immanuel Lutheran in Evansville; Faith Lutheran in Coon Rapids and at Peace Lutheran in Ashby as well as any church she attended in the places they lived. Many of her lasting friendships grew from those faith communities. She loved singing in choir, working with Sunday School, participating in faith circles, bible studies, couples clubs and volunteering as needed.

She loved being a wife, mother and friend. One of her favorite things was to host family dinners and events. The food was wonderful and there was always more than enough to eat. She was known as “Sis” by her brothers and sisters and “Auntie Sis” to her nieces and nephews. True to her Swedish culture, as the youngest girl of the 8 siblings, she often took care of her nephews and nieces. She loved each of them and was compassionate and supportive to each. Friendships where nurtured through calls, cards, letters and her open door. There was always a pot of coffee with a cookie or two waiting. Neighborhood friends found Mary Anne’s kitchen the place to be for good fellowship, support and a little bit of gossip.

Mary Anne is survived by her brother, Larry Greenquist of Fergus Falls, 4 children: Barb Paulson of Denver, Colorado; Steve Torgrimson (Pat) of Lino Lakes; Bob Torgrimson (Kris) of Duluth and Lisa Larson of Hopkins and by her 13 grandchildren, Kristi, Lindsey, Sam, Andy, Amy, Peter (Lindsey), Jens, Jamie, Nels, Jeff (Pam), Emma, Lucy and Annika, 2 great-grandchildren, Owen and Odin and many nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lars and Emma Greenquist; her husband, Lowell; 4 brothers: Conrad, Wallace, Myron (Mary Anne’s twin) and Willian Greenquist, 2 sisters: Leila Texer and Elin Peterson and 1 grandchild William.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.

Funeral Service will be 11 AM, Saturday, March 24th at Peace Lutheran Church in Ashby.

Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 PM, with Prayers at 6:45 PM, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Ashby and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Interment will be in Mound Grove Cemetery in Evansville.

Funeral Home: Glende - Nilson Funeral Home of Ashby

Condolences:www.glendenilson.com

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