Obituaries

March 28, 1925 to September 12, 2016

INDIANAPOLIS - Lois Arlene Baker Torgerson, 91, passed away Monday, Sept. 12.

She was born March 28, 1925 in Harrison Twp., Pulaski County to the late Hugh and Mae Hoesel Baker. In 1946, she married her high school sweetheart Thomas William Torgerson and they settled in Indianapolis. He died in 1973. She later married another high school friend, Harry O. Miller. He also preceded her in death in 2014.

She is survived by her children, Thomas Mark Torgerson (Ruth Deubelbeiss) and Kimberly Torgerson (Robert Madera), her sister Jeannie Jones, and an extended circle of relatives.

She was preceded in death by her sister Wilma Miller and brother-in-law Bill Miller.

Mrs. Torgerson took college entrance courses in high school, but didn’t attend college. Her continuing education courses included how to talk to anyone about anything, medical terminology, and conversational French. Her strong work ethic included many administrative jobs: Charles Mayer, L.F. Morrison, Indiana Bank, Williams Tone & Engineering, Electronic Laboratories, National Concrete Fireproofing (now Huber Hunt & Nichols Engineering (defense projects), Anthony Wayne Pump Co., J. Gordon Turnbull, Shirley Corporation, Griffith Distributing, Stanley Van Camp (half day), and the Arthritis Foundation. She was secretary-treasurer at Indiana Farmers Union for many years. After retirement she went back to work as a financial aide at St. Vincent’s, becoming their oldest employee ever put on the payroll. She left at age 77.

She made many road trips to California, Arizona and Canada. She achieved her big dream - going to Alaska, flying to Anchorage and driving around with her children. She had wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail. She didn’t like to fly over water, so Europe and Hawaii weren’t in her radar. But Patagonia was still on her list, as well as some place to watch the Northern Lights. Three weeks ago, she returned refreshed from a road trip to some of her favorite places, Utah and the Bay Area of California. She was a kind, strong person, frugal, independent, private, and fiercely loyal to her family and friends. Up to the end she was still driving, pulling weeds, and figuring out what she wanted to do next. Although a lifelong Republican, she planned to vote for Mrs. Clinton. 

She liked to visit her friends and family at the cemeteries, reminiscing. At her request, no service will be held. Her ashes will be buried in Winamac, next to her first husband, parents, and stillborn twin daughter.

Memorial contributions are welcome to Zionsville Methodist Church or the Indianapolis Humane Society.

Care has been entrusted to Simplicity Funeral & Cremation Care, Indianapolis.