James Torkelson

James L. Torkelson, 73 of Fargo, died Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at his home in Fargo, ND. James Leo Torkelson was born September 28, 1935, to Adolph and Sina (Iverson) Torkelson in Lamberton, MN. He grew up in Walnut Grove, MN before moving to Waverly, Iowa. He learned his career at age fifteen at the Wallezine Home Bakery of Waverly, Iowa. Jim married Bernice Finger on October 22, 1960, in Waverly, Iowa In January of 1965, he suffered injures in a car accident. After a miraculous recovery, he moved to Waterloo, Iowa, to work in a Sunmart super market where he became bakery manager until 1974. At that time, he moved to Chisholm, MN, with his family. There he bought a bakery and owned it until 1983. After selling the bakery, he moved to Fargo with his family where he worked at North Dakota State University Bakery Department. In 1991, he became co-owner and operator of Lake Country Bakery with his wife and son, Brenden. That bakery was sold in 1994, after that he worked at Hornbacher’s Northport Bakery until his death. He was in the bakery profession for 58 years. Jim enjoyed boating, water skiing, jazz music, playing his base fiddle in a family jazz band in his younger years, bowling, and gardening. As of late, he loved spending time with his grandsons, Rick and Matthew. He loved sitting in his backyard and enjoying nature. Jim is survived by his wife, Bernice; two sons, Eric (Chris) and Brenden (Sharlynn); two grandchildren, Rick and Matthew and sister, Gloria Ahnemann. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Kari; brother, Ken Torkelson and sister, June Eaton. Funeral: Monday, March 2, 2009, 2:00 PM at Fargo Baptist Church. Visitation: One hour prior to services at the church. Burial: Springvale Cemetery, Fargo, ND.