Betty Ann Walker Torgerson
Betty Ann Walker Torgerson, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday on January 25, 2019, passed away on April 17, 2019 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The daughter of the late James Delbert Walker and Lenna Rose Ayers Walker, Betty was born in Greenfield, Iowa, was educated in the Iowa public schools and began nurse’s training at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa in 1937 and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1940.
Betty moved to Gurdon, Arkansas in 1944 when her husband, George Torgerson, accepted a job with Gurdon Lumber Company. In Gurdon she provided volunteer nursing services until she was employed by the Arkansas Department of Health as the Public Health nurse for the Gurdon area and began a career that spanned over 35 years until her retirement in 1984. During that time period Betty was instrumental in obtaining medical assistance for those citizens who would not otherwise have had access to needed health services. She was a member of the Gurdon Presbyterian Church and was also involved in numerous civic, school, and community affairs. For her long time service to the community, Betty was recognized by the Gurdon Chamber of Commerce with the “Gurdon Citizen of the Year” award and was honored by Gurdon Mayor Sherry Kelley with a proclamation designating Betty’s 100th birthday as “Betty Torgerson Day in Gurdon”.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, George Torgerson, her son, Larry Torgerson, three sisters, Edith Shroeder, Patricia Bahling, and Dorothy Revland. She is survived by her daughter, Lori Bryan and husband David of Hot Springs, Arkansas and two granddaughters, Kelli Winters and husband Rob and Kathryn Jacobs and husband Todd all of Benton, Arkansas; five great-grandchildren: Lindsey Kate and Lily Winters, and Austin, Zachary, and Hayden Wormington of Benton, Arkansas. Betty is also survived by one niece, Ann Welch, of Adel, Iowa.
The family expresses special thanks to the staff and employees of The Plaza at Twin Rivers in Arkadelphia, Arkansas for their compassionate and excellent care and also for all their efforts in making Betty’s 100th birthday a very special time for her, her family, and her friends. To all the residents of The Plaza, thank you for your friendship.
Visitation will be on Friday, April 19th from 6:00-8:00 pm in the Chapel of Herndon – Fuqua Funeral Home in Gurdon. Graveside service will be on Saturday, April 20th at 11:00 am at Rose Hedge Cemetery in Gurdon with Rev. Jack Ryan officiating under the direction of Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made in Betty’s name to the Gurdon Presbyterian Church, PO Box 65, Gurdon, AR 71743 or to a favorite charity.
