Selmer A. Torkelson

Funeral services for Selmer A. Torkelson, 79, Lawrence, will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. Burial will be in Lawrence.Mr. Torkelson died Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, at the Baldwin Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Baldwin City.He was born Sept. 28, 1928, in Horton, the son of Abraham and Gladys Cohoon Torkelson.Mr. Torkelson was a retired custodian for the Lawrence public school district. He retired after 10 years of service at the Wakarusa Valley School. He also formerly worked as a real estate agent for Stephens Real Estate and as a draftsman for Reuter Organ Company, both of Lawrence.He was a member of the Centenary United Methodist Church in Lawrence.He married Helen Ikenberry on June 6, 1948, in Baldwin City. She survives, of the home.Other survivors include a daughter, Diane Coester and husband Dan, Lawrence; two sons, Bruce and wife Nancee, of Oskaloosa, and Mark and wife Linda, Lawrence; a sister, Ethylene Bosworth, Colorado Springs, Colo.; nine grandchildren, Jay and Derrick Pine, Tracey Rector, Nicole Lockett, Shelly Thomas, Greg Trendel, David and Todd Torkelson, and Melinda Wingfield; and 17 great-grandchildren.The family will greet friends from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the mortuary.The family suggests memorials to the Centenary United Methodist Church or to Douglas County Visiting Nurses, Rehabilitation and Hospice Care, sent in care of the mortuary.Online condolences may be sent at www.warrenmcelwain.com, subject: Torkelson.