65137_Wayne “Skunk”_Torkelson
FOREST CITY — Wayne “Skunk” Torkelson, 64, of Forest City died surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, May 23, 2013, from cancer, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 29, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, with Pastor Kevin Olson of Bethel Lutheran Church in Joyce officiating.
Burial will be in Ellington Township Cemetery in Forest City.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, at Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark St., Forest City, and continue one hour prior to services at the church.
In honor of Wayne’s love of old cars, a special parking area will be designated for those who want to attend and honor Wayne with their special cars or trucks near the front of the church the day of the funeral.
Wayne “Skunk” Lowell Torkelson was born in Forest City on April 11, 1949, to Othelia and Clarence Torkelson.
Wayne spent his early years attending Fertile Elementary School and tagging along with his five older brothers. His love of old cars began while riding alongside those same brothers racing up and down the Fertile farm’s mile-long lane and other gravel roads around Fertile. He formed great friendships growing up on the farm near Fertile that he maintained the rest of his life.
After high school, he started his on-the-job training for his future as the proud owner of Torkelson Plumbing and Heating.
Wayne “Skunk” was a decorated soldier in the army, serving with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam.
Wayne had many names, “Skunk” being the one he was most famous for. One of his favorites was Uncle Skunk, however, his two most favorite were Grandpa Skunk and Dad. His children and grandchildren paid him the highest honor by saying, “Our dad would do anything for us!” His children and grandchildren have many wonderful memories of times spent with their dad.
Forest City watched Wayne’s business grow from infancy to him partnering with his son and another employee. Skunk was especially proud of his certification as a master plumber and electrician.
Wayne was a true “Car Man”! He lovingly restored a 1966 yellow Chevelle that was “almost an exact replica” of the car he drove in high school. His latest project was owning a 1930 Ford Model A Fordor. He loved to talk about cars. Skunk was a man of few words, but when he spoke you listened.
Wayne married Cindy Feller and together they had three children: Janelle Torkelson (Travis Harms), Brett Torkelson and Adam Torkelson. His three grandchildren are Brittany Youngers, Andrew Youngers and Emma Lynn Harms.
Survivors include his children, grandchildren and their mother and grandmother, Cindy. In addition he is survived by sisters and brothers, Margie Sogard, Bernice Voelker, Ronald (Lucille) Torkelson, Leslie (Paulette) Torkelson, Roger (Shirley Norman) Torkelson, Marsha (Mark) Brunsvold; sister-in-law, Janice Torkelson; aunts Thelma Sunde, Julaine Albertson, Bonnie Torkelson, Linda Kesler; uncles, Orrin Torkelson, Marvin Hanna; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Margie Helen; brothers, Clarence Jr. and Carroll; nephew, Hollis; and nieces, Debra, LaRae and Lisa.
Wayne was a true hero as he bravely faced his diagnose of Stage 3 cancer and he will be missed by his family and friends.
Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 641-585-2685, www.petersenlundfh.com.