Ralph K. Torson

Passed away peacefully on September 10, 2015, surrounded by family, at Eventide Senior Living in Moorhead, Minnesota.
Ralph was born on September 16, 1924, to Ralph K. Torson Sr. and Grace M. Wentworth Torson in Chicago, Illinois. He lived in Park Ridge, Illinois until his sophomore year when his family moved to Moorhead, Minnesota. Upon graduating from Moorhead High School in 1943 he and his father worked on the Alcan Highway Alaska.He returned to earn his Bachelor of Science Degree from NDAC NDSU in 1949.

Ralph married Ruth Annette Houg on July 2, 1950 at Hedemarken Lutheran Church near Carlisle, Minnesota.
Ralph was principal at Ayr, ND High School for two years and Superintendent for two years. He then taught at Dilworth High School for two years before returning to NDSU and later Oklahoma State University receiving his Masters of Education in 1967. He was a Librarian at Ben Franklin Junior High School for 31 years. He retired from teaching in 1986.

Ralph was a regular at the Moorhead Public Library and always carried a book with him wherever he went. Whether at home, the lake cabin, doctor appointments, rides in the car, he was never far from a book.

His greatest enjoyment was spending time at the Fish Lake family cabin with his children, his grandchildren, their friends, and the “beach kids”. He loved the water all his life. Swimming, skiing, tubing, boating were a passion. Once a year he would organize “the beach kids” for a swim across Fish Lake. His favorite place on earth was sitting on the front porch at Fish Lake with Ruth, a book, and a cup of coffee nearby.

Ralph was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Phi Delta Kappa, Boy Scouts of America, and a loyal member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for over 60 years.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Ruth; brothers David and Frank Susan; children Robert Elizabeth Omaha, Nebraska and Renae Steve Goll, Baxter, MN; Arthur Hovde, nephew, Dickinson, ND; grandchildren William Jacque, John, Daniel, and Anne Torson, Andrew Lori, Laura, and Nicholas Goll; and one great grandchild Madelynn Torson. He was preceded in death by his parents and Sister Josephine.

Visitation will be held at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead, MN on Monday, September 21st at 10:00am with Memorial Service to follow at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Eventide Senior Care and Hospice of the Red River Valley for their exceptional care.