December 16, 1944 – June 28, 2025
Roger Allen “Frog” Torkelson, 80 of Forest City, IA passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Visitation will take place from 4:00 – 6:00 PM on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at Schott Funeral Home, 505 North Clark St., Forest City, Iowa 50436.
A memorial service for Roger will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, July 3, 2025 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 113 5th Ave. East, Leland, Iowa 50453 with Greg Flugum officiating.
Following a luncheon at the church, Roger’s family asks that all friends that wish to join Frog’s final “cruise” it will begin at Our Savior Church at approximately 12:30 P.M. Leaving South on Highway 69 entering the West entrance of Heritage Park of North Iowa, cruising the “loop”, exiting the East entrance on Heritage Lane to Hwy. B-14 (Airport Blacktop) then to River Road and to Ellington Township Cemetery. If you prefer not to do the cruise, but would like to still be a part of this tribute, please feel free to shine up your ride (whatever it is) and show it off in the grassy center area of Heritage Park.
Burial of his cremains will take place at Ellington Township Cemetery, rural Forest City. Military Honors will be performed by the Forest City American Legion Post #121.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Roger Torkelson memorial fund in care of the family.
Roger Torkelson was born on December 16, 1944 in Forest City to parents Clarence and Othelia Torkelson. Roger attended school in Fertile until his junior year and then attended Forest City High School graduating in 1964.
In August of 1965 he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was stationed in Abilene, Texas and while there, met Marcella “Kelly” Ray on a blind date and they were later married on July 6, 1968. In 1969 they returned to Forest City and Frog started his life-long career in the natural gas business. He retired in 2006 at the age of 62.
Frog was a member of the Forest City Fire Department, serving ten years from 1979 to 1989. He was also a long-time member of the Forest City American Legion Post #121. He was very instrumental and was passionate of the success of Heritage Park in Forest City where he spent endless hours volunteering his talents and time.
Frog loved anything fast; he was a proud owner of many cars through the years, but his favorite were his Corvette’s. He enjoyed restoring and painting cars & motorcycles, enjoyed conversation with his friends at coffee and spending time with his family and especially attending his grandchildren’s many events. His two daughters and his grandchildren meant the world to him! Just like his cars he lived life in high gear keeping his daughters on their toes to the end. Roger loved with every inch of his heart and made sure that those he loved the most knew it every time they spoke.
Roger was quoted saying “He had 2 perfect daughters and 3 perfect granddaughters” and that “He was blessed to have the family he had been given”. Monica and Dawn can say “They were blessed with the perfect dad”.
Roger is survived by his daughter Dawn and her husband Doug Arispe of Forest City and their daughters, Madison Arispe of Forest City, and Peyton (LCpl. Carter) Johnson of San Clemente, CA and daughter, Monica and her husband Ryan Overgaard of Klemme, IA, their daughter, Audrey Overgaard; brother, Ronald (Lucille) Torkelson; sisters, Bernice Voelker and Marsha Brunsvold; sisters-in-law, Paulette Torkelson and Janice Torkelson and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Ronne Newlon; siblings, Margie Helen, Margie, Clarence Jr., Carroll, Leslie, and Wayne, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
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