Roland M. “Torgie” Torgerson, of Mabel, Minn., died Oct. 28, 2015, age 94, at The Meadows Assisted Living in Mabel with family by his side.

Roland was born Sept. 26, 1921 in Bode, Iowa, to Ray and Ruth (Thorn) Torgerson. In 1939, he graduated from the Bode High School and started attending Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. In Jan. 1944 he entered the United States Army and was a construction foreman with the 11th Combat Engineer Battalion in the World War II European Theater. After the War he returned to Luther College and completed his education, graduating in 1947. On April 30, 1948, Roland was united in marriage to C’Dell Fay Colgan in Rochester, Minn. They had one child, Linda and were married for 61 years until C'Dell's death on Oct. 23, 2009.

Roland worked for the Standard Oil Company, owning a bulk truck and later a Standard Oil station in Harmony. He lived and worked in the Rochester, Sacramento, Calif.,, Zumbrota, and Harmony areas. In 1960, he became the assistant manager and then the manager of the Samaritan Nursing Home in Rochester, Minn., and in 1964, moved to Mabel, Minn., where he was the administrator of the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home until his retirement in 1984.

Roland was active in the community, serving on the Harmony School Board, Mabel School Board, and the Mabel City Council. He was a member of the Mabel First Lutheran Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Lions Club, and the Mabel-Canton Booster Club. He and C’Dell were awarded Mabel-Canton Outstanding Boosters of the Millennium in 2000 and served as Hesper-Mabel Steam Engine Days parade Grand Marshal in 1984. He enjoyed attending school and sporting events, golfing, gardening, and traveling. Anyone who knew Torgie knew how much he loved high school sports. He and C’Dell loved watching their granddaughter and great grandchildren participate in activities.

Roland is survived by one daughter, Linda (Gregory) Turner of Mabel, granddaughter, Kirsten (Douglas)Wyffels of Mabel, and two great grandchildren, Drew and Lauren Wyffels.

Roland’s family would like to thank The Meadows of Mabel and Heartland Hospice for the care and compassion shown him.

He was preceded in death by his wife C’Dell, a sister Lois (Osborne) Granseth, and a brother Everett (Janet)Torgerson.

The celebration of the life of Roland Torgerson was held Nov. 7, 2015, at the Mabel First Lutheran Church at 202 N. Oak St., Mabel, MN. Interment with military honors was at 12 o’clock noon at the Mabel Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to the Mabel-Canton Athletic Department.