Ethel Torkelson
BACKUS -- Ethel Torkelson, age 81, of Backus, passed away Sept. 10, 2004, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Park Rapids. She was born Nov. 17, 1922, in Minot, N.D., to Merton and Viola (Tinkham) Benton.
Ethel attended school in Shevlin, Minn. She worked at several banks in the area, including Pine River, Backus, Emily and Hackensack, until her retirement.
She is survived by her daughter, Pearl Mae Wade (Whitey) of Oregon; sons Walter Hill (Carol) of Washington and Dan Besemann of Nevada; brothers Melvin Benton (Alberta) of Park Rapids, Donald Benton (Beverly) of Bayfield, Wis., and Bruce Benton (Zula) of Ashland, Wis.; sister Phyllis Gallus (Robert) of Princeton, Minn.; 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Julius, granddaughter, Crystal Besemann, and brother, Herbert Benton.
Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, at Kline Funeral Home in Pine River with Rev. Arthur Frenz officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are by Kline Funeral Home, Pine River.