JORGINE (TOSTENSON) TORRISON

Mrs. Thomas E. Torrison, who all her life has been one of Manitowoc's
outstanding churchwomen, celebrated her 80th birthday yesterday and she
entertained at dinner at the Hotel Manitowoc last night.
Among her guests were five clergymen, each of whom proposed a toast to
the guest of honor. They were the Rev. Alfred Bredesen of Decorah, Iowa,
the Rev. Walter Gigstad of Pulaski, the Rev. O.K. Espeseth of this city,
the Rev. Adolph Sunby of Rio and the Rev. Ernest Zoerb of this city. Mrs.
Gigstad, Mrs. Espeseth, Mrs. Sunby and son Rolf and Mrs. Zoerb also
attended.
Mrs. Torrison's other guests were Dr. J.M.C. Hanson of Sister Bay, Mrs. K.
Edwards and daughter, Mrs. Kissam Brown of Winnetka, Ill., Mrs. Oscar
Torrison, Mr. and Mrs. Osuld Torrison and Miss Martha Torrison of Evanston,
Ill, Prof. and Mrs. Dave Nelson of Decorah, Ia., Mrs. Clara Omsted of
Stoughton, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Omsted of Cleveland and Mr. and Mrs. Albert
Hougen, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Hougen, Mrs. Nic Dedrick and daughter Miss Helene,
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Torrison, Miss Mary Spindler, Mrs. Agnes Torrison, Mr.
and Mrs. Elmer Hougen and Judge and Mrs. O.T. Bredesen, all of this city.
Mrs. Torrison is the daughter of Captain Tostensen, a lake captain who came
to Manitowoc in the '50s. She was Georgina Tostensen before her marriage. She
is a charter member of the Ladies Aid society of the First Lutheran church
which will mark 60 years of organizatin next year. She is the only living
charter member, and she was honored a few years ago by a life certificate in
the national organization of Lutheran women, presented to her by the Ladies
Aid.
Manitowoc Herald Times, Wednesday, September 21, 1938 P.7
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Mrs. Torrison, Wife of Pioneer Merchant, Dead
Mrs. Jorgine Torrison, 88, widow of Thomas E. Torrison, former mayor and
pioneer Manitowoc merchant, and who during her lifetime was one of the
city's outstanding churchwomen, died this morning at the Holy Family
hospital.
Mrs. Torrison enjoyed good health until a few weeks ago. She was moved
to the hospital three weeks ago from her residence, 734 North Tenth
street.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the First Lutheran church,
the Rev. Carroll Hincerlie officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery.
Mrs. Torrison, nee Jorgine Tostenson, was born in Manitowoc in 1858, the
daughter of Captain T. Tostensen, veteran lake captain who came to Manitowoc
in the early fifties. She was married in 1884 to Thomas F. Torrison, Manitowoc
merchant who for years headed the O. Torrison company, operators of one of
the city's department stores now owned by the Boston store.
She early took an interest in church work. She was the last surviving charter
member of the Ladies Aid society of the First Lutheran church, and when that
society celebrated its 60th anniversary in 1939 she was an honored guest
at the gathering.
During her many years affiliation with the Aid society she kept an accurate
book record of all the proceedings. For 10 years she also kept the history
of the Women's Missionary Federation of the Green Bay circuit.
Even in later years Mrs. Torrison continued her active church and society
affiliations. In 1943 she was the honor guest at a family dinner tendered
her at the Hotel Manitowoc.
Mr. Torrison died in 1918. She is survived by a son, Attorney Anker Torrison
of Minneapolis; and a sister, Mrs. Nils Omsted of Stoughton.
The body is at the Frazier mortuary.
Manitowoc Herald Times, Friday, January 10, 1947