Gerald Torrance

Gerald (Jerry) Torrance, 85, of Grand Forks, passed away Friday, April 5, 2013 at Hearthstone in Woodside Village, Grand Forks, North Dakota. Jerry was born on May 10, 1927 to James and Dora Torrance on a farm near Gonvick, Minnesota. His family moved to Grand Forks where he lived most of his life. He attended Belmont, Roosevelt, South Junior High, and Central High School where he graduated in 1944. He entered the United States Army in 1945. He was stationed in Seoul, Korea for two years as a teletype repairer. He was honorably discharged in 1948. Upon returning to Grand Forks, he joined his father in Torrance Plumbing and Heating. He married Clarice Karver, his roller skating sweetheart, on November 23, 1950 in Crookston, Minnesota. Jerry was an avid bowler for many years. He was secretary-treasurer of the Southside League for 30 years. He was president of the Grand Forks Bowling Association from 1978 to 1984. In 1993 the Grand Forks Bowling Association inducted him into the Hall of Fame for Meritorious Achievement. Summer vacations were a special time for Jerry. He enjoyed taking his family to different destinations throughout the United States. Jerry cherished spending time with his grandchildren, whether it was playing a quick game of Sorry or Candyland, playing with Legos or Lincoln Logs on the floor, or taking them to the park and watching them play. Jerry is survived by his wife, the love of his life, for 62 years; five children: Pamela (Dan) Keskeys of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Gregory (Dee) Torrance of Centennial, Colorado; Lynn (Steve) Redlin of Portland, Oregon; Sheri Torrance of Grand Forks, North Dakota; and Alan (Peggy) Torrance of Wahpeton, North Dakota; seven grandchildren: Michael Keskeys, Matthew Keskeys, Olivia Torrance, Samuel Torrance, Danielle Torrance, Cassandra Torrance, and Austin Torrance; one great-grandchild, Taelor Frankl; and one brother, James Torrance of Wilmington, North Carolina. A "Celebration of Life" will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2013 at Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 S. 42nd St., Grand Forks, North Dakota. Visitation will take place one hour before the service in the funeral home. Online guest registration is available at www.amundsonfuneralhome.com. Memorials can be sent to the Hearthstone Spring Patio Project (4000 Valley Square, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58201) or to the Alzheimer's Association of North Dakota-Minnesota (4357 13th Avenue SW, Suite 203, Fargo, North Dakota 58103). A special thank you to all Hearthstone staff at Woodside Village for the wonderful care and concern that they have shown Jerry during the past 14 months. Also, a special thank you to Dr. Allen and Dr. Deere of the Altru Health System and Gretchen Dobervich of the Alzheimer's Association of North Dakota-Minnesota.