Norma Evelyn Torgerson was born March 5, 1925, in West Bank Township, Swift County, to Peter A. and Gina (Retrum) Snelling. She was baptized as an infant and confirmed on June 18, 1939, at Big Bend Lutheran Church. Norma attended rural District #75 and graduated from Appleton High School.On June 22, 1943, she was married to Walter P. Torgerson at Big Bend Lutheran Church. During her life she worked mostly as a homemaker and mother. She also sold Avon products and did census several times. She wrote the Big Bend news for the Milan Standard and the Appleton Press beginning in the early 60's and or the past 24 years she wrote Big Bend news for the Milan Standard and Appleton Press; retiring just three weeks ago.Norma was a volunteer at Pioneer Public TV. She enjoyed embroidery, crocheting hangers, collecting lighthouses, playing whist, and in her later years learned to play Bridge which she played several times a week. She was a member of the ETC Sewing Club, worked many years at the county fair, and was a member of the "Big Bend Singers" musical group. She was an active member of Big Bend Lutheran Church and was active with the Love Circle, was church librarian, and the church quilting group. When she was no longer able to stand to make quilts at church she began to put quilts together in her basement. She made quilts for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was an avid crossword puzzle fan and Scrabble player. She volunteered and ate at the meal site almost every day; they were her "second family".Norma had unending patience, unconditional love and forgiveness, kindness, thoughtfulness, selflessness always putting others first, and would never betray a trust. She was a wonderful cook and hostess with the coffee pot that was always on and a decoration for every occasion. Hers was a welcoming home for family and friends. She was loving, full of wisdom, accepting of everyone and always said "everyone has some good qualities".Norma died on Monday, April 18, at her home in Appleton. She attained 86 years, 1 month, and13 days of age.She is survived by two daughters: Bette Jane (Jon) Zbasnik of Pleasanton, CA, and Carol Mae Drown of Sedalia, Missouri; three grandchildren: Tammy (Dave) Smith of Morris, Dawn (Tom) Self of Cole Camp, MO, and Philip (Jeannette) Drown of Morris; seven great-grandchildren: Joel and Rebekah Larsen of St. Cloud, Austin Smith of Morris, Nicolas and Caleb Self of Cole Camp, MO, and Joseph and Zachary Drown of Morris; three sisters: Clara Barkley of Minneapolis, Dagny Beyer of Appleton, and Rosemary Harris of Lynnwood, WA; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Walter, on January 12, 1984; son-in-law, Philip Drown; and siblings: Pearl Landmark, Clifford Snelling, Irene Lindgren, Abner Snelling, Alice Dahl, Olga Cooper, Norman Snelling, and Ernest Snelling.
