Stephen Torvik

Stephen Torvik died Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the Chippewa County - Montevideo Hospital at the age of 75.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Montevideo.  Rev. Bob Knutson will officiate and interment will be at Sunset Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 26 from 5-7:00 PM at the Anderson - TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo and for one hour before the service on Tuesday.

Stephen Stavig Torvik, the oldest son of Ruth Stavig and Alfred Torvik was born December 6, 1942 at Fort Lewis near Olympia, Washington. After his birth, the family was transferred to Camp Lee, Virginia, from which Alfred Torvik was discharged from his military service. The Torvik family settled in Willmar, Minnesota, where Alfred purchased and operated a DeSoto Plymouth automobile franchise. In 1960, Alfred became a Pontiac, Buick, and Cadillac dealer in Willmar. Stephen and his two brothers, James (“Jim”) and Jeffrey (“Jeff”) always played an active role in the business.

Stephen attended Willmar High School and graduated in 1960. He attended and graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At that time, his uncle, Lawrence Stavig, was the president of the college. It was reported Dr. Stavig handed Stephen his diploma and announced, “this is a great day.” Stephen, always being a prudent person, did not make any inquiry as to the reason. While at Augustana, Stephen met his future wife of fifty-two wonderful years, Donna (Rist) Torvik. Donna and Stephen were married on December 26, 1965.

Stephen was accepted at the University of Minnesota Law School and graduated in June 1967. After successfully passing the Minnesota bar examination in the summer of 1967, Donna and Stephen embarked upon Pan American’s Round the World Flight #2. The trip was the first of many Donna and Stephen would enjoy as a family.

Stephen received an offer of employment from Sigvald B. Oyen and John P. Nelson in Montevideo, Minnesota. He subsequently became a partner in the law firm, now known as Nelson Oyen Torvik. During his fifty-one year practice of law in Montevideo, Stephen was honored to serve for a number of years as the elected Chippewa County Attorney, an Assistant Chippewa County Attorney, and Assistant Montevideo City Attorney.

He very much enjoyed serving the community as attorney of the Minnesota Valley Cooperative Light and Power Association, the Lac Qui Parle Yellow Bank Watershed District as well as banks in Appleton and Milan, Minnesota. He was on the board of directors for the Montevideo Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Camp Sanderson through his association with the Girl Scouts, and continued in those capacities for many years. In terms of other activities, Stephen was a member of the Montevideo Country Club and served as its president in the early 1970’s.

Stephen and Donna had one child – Heidi Marie Torvik, born on March 19, 1977. The Torviks were and are very proud of her accomplishments. Stephen and Donna followed Heidi through her studies at The Juilliard School in New York City and enjoyed many of Heidi’s concerts at Juilliard, in many of New York City’s famed concert halls and, eventually across the country and internationally. Heidi had an active freelance life including performing with the Broadway musical, Wicked. Stephen, Donna and Heidi walked the New York City streets endlessly together, enjoying fine restaurants and pizza joints alike. For better or worse, Stephen used to say, Heidi followed in her Father’s footsteps. She was accepted at the University of Minnesota Law School and graduated in 2014. She is currently a practicing attorney and enjoyed endless conversations with Stephen about the law until the day before his death.

In addition to practicing law, Stephen enjoyed playing tennis and golf but most especially had a passion for downhill skiing. The Torviks enjoyed an annual ski trip to Colorado up until Stephen’s final illness prevented it.

In 2012, Stephen was diagnosed with leukemia. The esteemed Dr. Mrinal Patnaik at Mayo Clinic Rochester gave him additional years of life for which Donna and Heidi can never express gratitude with words. Stephen passed away from complications of that illness in Montevideo, Minnesota on March 21, 2018.

He is survived by his wife, Donna, and daughter, Heidi; and by his brother, Jim (Tess) and their daughters; Molly, Erika (Teddy) Maass, and Kelsey; his brother, Jeff and son, Elliott. Stephen is also survived by his sister-in-law, Carol (Cliff) Groseth; and their children, Candy (James) Hersch; Craig (Colleen) Groseth; Cyler (Roxanne) Groseth; and Chris (Lori) Groseth. Predeceasing him were his parents Ruth and Alfred Torvik.

Donna and Heidi would like to extend their most heartfelt thanks to Dr. Robert Frye and Dr. Mrinal Patnaik at Mayo Clinic Rochester; Dr. Nicholas Krueger at Chippewa County Montevideo Hospital; and the entire staff at Chippewa County Montevideo Hospital, Clinic, the Emergency Room Department, and in the end, Jessica Sather. Last, but certainly not the least, the Chippewa County Montevideo Hospital Oncology Infusion Center. Heather Goslee, Deb Hainen, Dee Knoshal, Becky Tastad, Terri Vien, and Sue Jerve - you are all experts in your field and angels here on Earth. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

In lieu of memorials, the family would request that donations be made specifically to the Chippewa County Montevideo Hospital Oncology Infusion Center.