Vivian S. Torkelson

FUNERAL SERVICES :11:00 A.M. on Thursday September 26, 2013 at Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids, MN.VISITATION :5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Wednesday September 25, 2013 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home, Park Rapids, M INTERMENT : Greenwood Cemetery, Park Rapids, MN Viv ian S. Torkelson January 14, 1940-September 20, 2013 Vivian Shirley Torkelson, age 73, a life time Park Rapids and Menahga, MN resident, died very unexpectedly on Friday evening, September 20, 2013 at St. Josephs Area Hospital in Park Rapids.Vivian was born on January 14, 1940 on the home farm in Wolf Lake Township of Becker County, MN to LaVerne and Ina (Razer) Torkelson. It was there that she began her public education at the nearby country school. Later she went on to attend the Menahga Public school through the 8th grade. She went on to attend high school in Park Rapids where she graduated with the Class of 1958. As a young woman, Vivian ventured to Mpls., MN where she gained employment working for the Federal Reserve Bank. On March 7, 1959, Vivian was united in marriage to George Rognstad. This union was blessed with four children: Mitchell, Robin, Rhonda, and Christopher. In 1959, the young couple returned to the Park Rapids area and lived out on the Hubbard Prairie. Vivian devoted herself to making a warm and loving home for her husband and children. She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious lefse, chocolate chip cookies and thin pancakes. In addition to homemaking, Vivian also worked nights cleaning the Park Rapids clinic for many years. When her children were old enough to all be in school, Vivian went back to school and studied Business Administration at the Detroit Lakes Vocational Technical College. Following her graduation, she began working for the 3M Wonewok Resort in a career that spanned over 20 years, until her retirement in 1997. Vivian treasured the relationship she shared with Ken Atkinson for the past 20 years. Vivian was talented in working with her hands and created many beautiful floral arrangements that she sold at flea markets and craft fairs. She enjoyed antiquing and collecting depression glass. She also worked with Ken painting many of his woodcrafts over the years. In her younger days, she did a great deal of oil painting and drawings. Above all, Vivian devoted her life to Ken, her children and her grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. Vivian will be lovingly remembered by her dear friend and soul mate, Ken Atkinson of Park Rapids; her four children: Mitchell (Rebecca) Rongstad of Inglewood, CA, Robin (David) Schmitz of St. Michael, MN, Rhonda (Steven) Taylor of Elk River, MN and Christopher Rongstad of Rogers, MN; five grandchildren: Nathan, Nicol, Benjamin, Brooke and Jude; her brother, Keith Kretschmar of Cary, IL.; two sisters: Virginia Torkelson of Newark, CA and Melissa Curtis of Hotchkiss, CO; along with other relatives and many friends. Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, and her ex-husband, George Rognstad.Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday September 26, 2013 at Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids, MN. A visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Wednesday September 25, 2013 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home, Park Rapids, MN. To leave on line condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com.