Irvin Tuffy Torgerson

Irvin ""Tuffy"" Torgerson, 79, Pettibone, North Dakota died Friday, August 26, 2005 at MedCenter One Hospital in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Irvin Gunder Torgerson was born November 13, 1925 in Pettibone, the son of Martin and Clara (Anderson) Torgerson. He attended grade school and high school in Pettibone graduating in 1943. Upon graduation he started farming with his step-father, John A. Johnson. On October 15, 1945 Tuffy married Jan Kaczmarski in Valley City, ND. They made their home at the family farm for 60 years. Tuffy raised registered Polled Herefords from the early 1950's and he also raised registered Hampshire pigs for 15 years. He participated in hereford sales with both Ed Kalinoff and Harold Kleepe at different times.

Tuffy was a school board member for 17 years, township officer for 40 years, a member of the Pettibone Saddle Club, Pettibone Fire Dept., Stockman's Assoc., the Farm Home Administration Board and the ND Winter Show Livestock Committee for 13 years. He served as secretary of the State Polled Hereford Assoc. for over 20 years and was President of the American Polled Hereford Assoc. National Office for 4 years.

Tuffy received several awards during his lifetime including the Outstanding Conservation Farmer at NDSU in 1983, the ND Polled Hereford Assoc. Man of the Year in 1978, the NDSU Alumni Assoc Agriculturist Award in 1976 and the Leadership Award from the American Polled Hereford Assoc.

His interests and hobbies included baseball, horse riding, horseshows and he was an avid golfer and pool player.

Tuffy is survived by his wife, Jan; three daughters and sons-in-law; Joni & Roger Britton, Underwood, ND, Nancy & Dennis Morlock and Robin & Ron Rewald, both of Pettibone; five grandchildren, Rachel (Greg) Mason, Joe Rewald, Lisa Morlock, Brian Morlock, Patrick Britton; two great-grandchildren, Sarah and Noah Mason; sisters-in-law, Carol Thorstenson, Yukon, OK, Beverly Kaczmarski, Pettibone and Ernestine Torgerson, Ozark, AL and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father and three brothers, Leo, Donald and Alan.

Memorial Service: 2:30 PM, Saturday, September 3, 2005 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Pettibone with Rev. Ellen Arthur officiating.

No visitation is planned. It was Tuffy's interest to donate his body to the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, so others may benefit and learn in their research.

Arrangements with Eddy Funeral Home in Jamestown, ND.