Lavern Torgerson

LaVern Torgerson Richfield, Utah - On April 24, 2004, I lost my husband, my love and my best friend. LaVern (Vern) Torgerson, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and “Uncle Boone” was born March 24, 1926 to Ferry Conrad and Annie Oteria Coleman-Moosman- Torgerson in Emery County, Utah, in a home filled with love, laughter, mischief and music. He graduated from Wayne High School, Class of 1943, where he played basketball. LaVern served in the U.S. Navy for the duration of World War II. He married Ronna Lee Swenson of Fairview, Utah, June 30, 1947. They made their home in Teasdale (Wayne County), Utah. LaVern supported his family with a wide variety of jobs from “cutting timber”, herding sheep, milking cows and raising chickens. In 1956, LaVern moved his family to Salt Lake City, where he was employed by Buehner Concrete in Murrary, and in 1962 was transferred to Denver, Colorado. He remained with “Buehner’s” until 1971, when he opened the first of his businesses, Sherrelwood Standard Station. He soon followed Sherrelwood with Vern’s Standard, Westminster Auto Clinic and Torgie’s Amoco in Arvada. Vern and Ronna Lee retired in 1986 and for a short time enjoyed the life of snow-birds, traveling between Arizona and their home, “The Cabin” they built and enjoyed together in Coaldale, CO. His hobbies included bowling, fishing and hunting. They returned home to Richfield in 1996. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Elmer and Lavor Moosman, sisters, Norma Moosman Hatch and Lola Torgerson Lance and brothers, Neldon and Redell Torgerson. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Ronna Lee, of Richfield; children: Michael (Gail) of Bozeman, MT; Randy (Kathy) of Marysville, WA; Jacalyn (Joseph) Porath of Westminster, CO; Gary (Lynne) of Craig, CO; 10 grandchildren: Jeremy, Jennifer, Bobbie, Jeffrey, Joseph, Anthony, Kelly, Joshua, Kimberly and Daniel; 11 great-grandchildren: Kaila, Isabella, Courtney, Robert, Mariah, Joshua, Sarah, Brynlee, Avery, Emerson and Cameron; also many nieces and nephews, especially Layne and Kim Torgerson, who have always shown great love and support. His strength of spirit and sense of humor will be missed by all who know and love him. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 29, 2004 at 11:00 A.M. in the Richfield 1st LDS Ward Chapel, located at 985 South 400 West in Richfield. Friends may call for viewing at the Springer Turner Funeral Home, 260 North 400 West, in Richfield, Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 P.M. and at the ward chapel in Richfield, Thursday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 prior to the services. Graveside services and burial with military honors accorded by the Mt. Pleasant VFW Post #9276 will be Thursday afternoon at 3:00 P.M. in the Fairview City Cemetery, Fairview, Utah under the direction of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield, Salina and Gunnison, Utah.