In Loving Memory
Victoria "Vicky" Torreson
March 7, 1929 - February 19, 2024

VISITATION
Saturday, February 24, 2024
10:00 - 11:30 A.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Ruthven, Iowa

SERVICE
Saturday, February 24, 2024
11:30 A.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Ruthven, Iowa

INTERMENT
South Walnut Cemetery
Graettinger, Iowa

Victoria Lou Gard, the daughter of Victor and Florence (Larson) Gard, was born March 7, 1929, in Emmetsburg, Iowa. She passed away February 19, 2024, at Maranatha Senior Living in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota at the age of 94.  Her death occurred after recently moving there from St. Andrews Village in Mahtomedi, Minnesota, where she was in assisted living for 11 years. She died peacefully, with family.

Her early years, until she was a sophomore in high school, were spent in Cylinder, Iowa, where her parents and aunt and uncle ran the Gard Bros. grocery and hardware stores.  It was a unique family arrangement as her father's twin brother married her mom's sister.  The two families lived in the same house, went into business together, paid their bills out of the same bank account, and raised their children as siblings.  Both families moved to Ruthven, Iowa in 1944, where each family then had their own house.

The Gard children were known for their musical talents.  Victoria was no exception, as she won many piano competitions at a young age.  She continued her love for playing the piano her whole life, as she regularly played in church and, more recently, entertained her fellow residents at St. Andrews by playing 30's and 40's music on Mondays.  She played by ear, often being able to hear a song on the radio and then being able to play it.

Victoria worked in a clothing store in Spencer, Iowa after graduating from high school.  She met Don, who had just gotten out of the Army after returning from the Philippines, in 1948 at a dance at the Woodcliff Ballroom near Spencer.  They were united in marriage just a few months later, on September 26th, at Zion Lutheran Church in Ruthven.

Vicky and Don then lived five miles southwest of Graettinger, where they took up farming alongside Don's parents.  They continued for a time in this working arrangement with his father, but soon began farming on their own. During these years, seven children were born, though Sheila Sue died as an infant.  A second baby, whom Vicky wanted to name Susan, died prior to birth.  Six children followed:  Rod, Dean, Kathy, Bill, Tom, and Rich.  In December of 1967, Don, Vicky, and their family moved to Terril. There Don was employed by Torreson Oil Co., where he drove a DX tank wagon, while supplementing his income by selling hail insurance and seed corn.  Vicky held jobs at Berkely in Spirit Lake, the Rec Center in Terril, and as head librarian in Terril.

Vicky was active in the communities of Terril and Graettinger, where she was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Lutheran Churches, where she and Don attended regularly.

In 1978, they purchased from Haakon Thoreson an independent insurance agency in Graettinger and set up office in what was formerly the dime store on the south side of Main Street. Vicky worked in the office, and they ran a successful business, with both retiring in 1995. Within several years, they moved to an apartment in Spencer; a short time later Don suffered a major stroke, which led to his move to St. Luke's.  Don passed away in 2010. In 2012, Vicky went to live with her son and daughter-in-law Rich and Pamela in St. Paul before moving to St. Andrews Village.

Vicky made many friends, with both residents and staff, during her time at St. Andrews Village.  In fact, several of them drove all the way to visit her in her new room at Maranatha during her first days after the move.  She was known at Saint Andrews Village for dressing up every single day (just like her mom), which is what she did until her last days, and she always had a bowl of candy ready to treat the staff who took such good care of her.

Victoria is preceded in death by husband Don, daughter Sheila Sue, daughter Susan, son Bill (Martha) Torreson, daughter Kathy (Lino) Rodriguez, her parents, and her sister Gloria (Jim) Griswold.  She is survived by her children Rodney (Paulette) Torreson of Grand Rapids, MI; Dean Torreson of Saint Paul, MN; Thomas (Suzette) Torreson of Plymouth, MN; and Richard (Pamela) Torreson of Saint Paul, MN; son-in-law Lino Rodriguez, and daughter-in-law Martha Torreson; eight grandchildren: Tasha (Steve) Fortugaleza, Ted (Megan) Torreson, Travis Torreson, Christina (Levi) Kinsey, Jonathan (Taylor) Torreson, Victoria (Jerimiah) Trute, Tim Torreson, and Michael (Emma) Torreson; and 11 great-grandchildren.  Survivors also include two siblings, Bonita (Garland) Chambers of Cathedral City, CA, and John (Carol) Gard of Lake Forest, IL.
Victoria's favorite hymn was "When I Take My Vacation in Heaven," which is what she's now doing.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home