Evelyn Torkelson, age 94, of Ada, MN, died Monday, June 19, 2006, in Bridges Care Community, Ada.

Evelyn J. Kirksether was born January 25, 1912, daughter of Christ and Lisa (Ingberg) Kirksether near Hendrum, Minnesota where she grew up and attended school. As a young lady, Evelyn worked at home on the farm and later at the Blue Bird Café in Ada, where she met her future husband, Tenny Torkelson. On January 28, 1937, Evelyn and Tenny were united in marriage at Grace Lutheran Church in Ada. The couple lived in Shelly, Minnesota for a time before moving to Thief River Falls, Minnesota. They lived there for 13 years. While there, Evelyn was employed at various cafes. In the mid 1950's, Evelyn and Tenny moved to Twin Valley. She was employed by the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, part time as well as working full-time as a cook in the Twin Valley School. In the summers, she was a full-time employee at the nursing home. Evelyn retired from her position at the school at the age of 62, retiring from the nursing home at age 70. In 1981, she moved to Ada to be closer to her husband, Tenny who resided at the Wimmer Memorial Nursing Home. Tenny died March 13, 1991. Evelyn lived in the Valley View Apartments until January, 2001, when she became a resident of the Bridges Care Community where she had made her home since.

Her favorite past times included crocheting doilies, making quilts and tending to her vegetable and flower gardens. Evelyn was a long time member of Zion Lutheran Church where she was active in Ladies Aid and Bible Study.

Evelyn is survived by a son, Adrian of Crookston, MN; two daughters, Sharon Stundahl of Orono, MN and Eunice Penn of Ada, MN; eight grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, four step grandchildren, eight step great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Her husband, one brother and four sisters precede her in death.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2006, at 10:30 AM in Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, MN. Officiating will be Pastor Charles Bade with Danette Gwin serving as organist and Harlan and Sylvia Bueng serving as vocalists. Pallbearers will be Alan Stene, Leland Nepstad, Alan Nepstad, Leroy Nepstad, Lowell Austinson and Jonathan Peterson. Honorary pallbearers will be all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A Prayer Service will be held on Wednesday, June 21 at 3:00 PM in Bridges Care Community Chapel, Ada, MN.
Visitation will be one hour before services at the church on Thursday.

Interment will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Minnesota.