Georgia Torkelson

Hudson, SD: Georgia Torkelson, 97, of Canton, SD formerly of Hudson, died Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at the Sanford Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD. A funeral service will be 11 am Monday, September 30, 2013 at the Hudson Lutheran Church with Rev. Lori Marty officiating. Burial will follow at the Eden Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, September 29, 2013 with the family present 4-6 pm at Porter Funeral Home in Hudson. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

Georgia was born September 3, 1916 at Merrill, Iowa, daughter of Homer and Edith (June) Brown. She graduated from Merrill High School in 1934 and obtained a nursing education. Georgia married Richard Kinsella in 1935 and to this union a daughter Carmeen was born. They later divorced. On December 16, 1945, Georgia married Merland 'Cope' Torkelson. To this union, Karen, Merland, Richard, and Melanie were born. Georgia spent most of her adult life in different areas of nursing including working at the Hudson Hospital and Hudson Nursing Home. Cope and Georgia also ran the Hudson Hotel for many years. Merland died on November 21, 1971. Georgia was a caring person and always claimed the song 'Sweet Georgia Brown'. Georgia was loved by her children and adored by her grandchildren.

Surviving relatives are her children, Carmeen (Merle) Vipond of Hudson, Karen (Gene) Van Der Weide of Sioux City, IA, Merland (Beverley) Torkelson of Montpelier, OH, Richard (Becky) Torkelson of Sioux Falls, SD, and Melanie (Doug) Ranschau of Sioux Center, IA; 18 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; sister, Wanda (Jim) Wold of Garner, IA; and sister-in-law, Fern Nitz of Hudson.

Georgia was preceded in death by her husband, Merland; son-in-law, Jim Strubbe; sisters, Virginia Heien and Florence Buys.