IvyJo Torkelsen

Featured in: January/February 2018

TORKELSEN — IvyJo (Larsen), 91; born May 22, 1926, Genoa, Colo.; died June 26, 2017, Ashland, Ore. Surviving: sons, Jere, Jon, Jesse Somer, and Bill Howey; six grandchildren, great-grandchildren and 9 nieces and nephews.

Attended Campion Academy in Loveland, Colo.; a teaching degree from Union College. Taught grade school at Denver Junior Academy where she met and married Arlee Torkelsen (the music teacher) in 1952. Arlee preceded her in death in 2008. After nearly 60 years of teaching home ec, English, piano, arts and crafts, and librarian — on the payroll or volunteering, IvyJo finally retired in 2010.

She and Arlee taught at Denver Junior Academy, Plainview Academy, Grand Ledge Academy, Fresno Adventist Academy, Platte Valley Academy, Takoma Academy, Union College, Aberdeen Grade School, Brentwood Adventist Elementary, and Rogue Valley Academy.