Torkel 'Tork' Leon Torkelson, 87

Torkel “Tork” Leon Torkelson, 87, died Monday, March 9, 2015 in Whitefish.

Tork was born Dec. 9, 1927 in Spokane, Washington.

Tork met Lorraine Brown in high school and they were later married. They raised their children in Whitefish in the home he built with his own two hands. 

He went to work for the Great Northern Railway in 1947 and retired from the Burlington Northern Railway in 1990.  Many of those years were as a machine operator building bridges and tunnels.

He was a part of the Whitefish Boat Club, the Whitefish Winter Carnivals, the Masons, and an honorary member of the Moose Lodge. Tork’s passion was being a pilot and flying small private airplanes. He enjoyed golfing, shooting trap, hunting, ice fishing, camping and being part of four wheeling with the Iguanas.

Tork was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine Brown Torkelson; his parents Torkel and Adeline Torkelson of Spokane, Washington; brother Harold Torkelson; granddaughter Shyloh Cochran of Whitefish and great-granddaughter Alysa Huffine of Polson.

He is survived by son Wayne and wife Robby Torkelson of Columbia Falls; daughter Laurel and Dallas Torgerson of Polson; daughter Karla and husband Joe McKellar of Whitefish; several grandchildren, Olin and Blaine Torkelson, Darryl, Darrin, Leigh (Huffine) and Mara Torgerson, Jesse Cochran and numerous great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother Kenny and wife Evelyn Torkelson of Spokane, Washington.

A memorial service will be held for family and friends at the Moose Lodge in Whitefish at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 with a luncheon to follow.

If you would like to make a donation, please do so to the charity of your choice.

Austin Funeral Home is caring for Tork’s family.