Darwin D. Torgerson

Darwin D. "Dar" Torgerson, 78, of Sioux City went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, July 5, 2012 at Hallmark Care Center following a lengthy illness. Memorial services for Dar will be held on Sunday, July 8, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel with Rev. Del Olivier officiating. There will be a private graveside service at a later date in the Graceland Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Dar was born on October 4, 1933 in Sioux City to Ingolf and Pearl (Heiman) Torgerson. He graduated from Leeds High School and began working as a cattle salesman for the Sioux City Stock Yards. Dar also farmed and cared for a variety of animals on his acreage which family and friends fondly know as "The 40". When the stock yards closed, Dar retired from sales and continued to operate his farm full time. He was married to Roberta Van Horn on December 20, 1952. To this union 3 children were born, Karen, Kathy and Karol. The marriage later ended in divorce. Dar remarried Zoaline Zarzick on June 26, 1970 and he welcomed her son Keith Hawkins as his own. She preceded him in death on September 11, 1989 in Sioux City. Dar was a past Mason and member of First Lutheran Church. He will be fondly remembered for his love of horses and passion for raising any type of animal his farm or home would hold. Besides his love of animals, Dar had a deeper love for his family and friends. When Dar wasn't working or farming, you would find him at his favorite eating establishments which were several over the years, but most recently was Johnny Mars. Dar is survived by his 3 daughters Karen (Bob) Nielsen of Westfield, IA and their sons; Darwin and Kalen Kluender; Kathy (Daryl) Barker of Bellevue, NE and their children Tasha Barker, Tisha Berger, Donnie and Kevin Barker; and Karol (Brent) Hoefer of Sioux City and their daughter Katie Byrd; son Keith (Kim) Hawkins of Sioux City and their children Hilary and Tyler Hawkins; 9 great grandchildren; a sister Ardith "Ardy" (Herbert) Burns of Pheonix, AZ; 2 sisters-in-laws Sally Torgerson of NC and Jacque Torgerson of CO; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Zoaline, and 2 brothers Verlin "Toad" and Allen "Whitey" Torgerson. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Marty and Teresa for their love and support of Dar and his beloved animals on "The 40". A heartfelt thank you to all the granddaughters and grandsons for all their caring help for Grandpa Dar. He was well loved.