Raymond B. Torgersen, 94, of Estelline, passed away Wednesday, February 10, 2021, at Estelline Nursing and Care Center. Private family funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, February 16, 2021 and will be livestreamed on the Geise Funeral Home Facebook page. A public viewing without family present will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Monday at Geise Funeral Home in Estelline.

Raymond B. Torgersen was born on March 30, 1928 in Duluth, MN. Ray is the son of Olav and Anna (Carlsen) Torgersen.

Ray was a graduate of the Denfield High School in Duluth in 1944. He continued his education at Gustavus Adolphus College in 1948 in St. Peter, MN and received his Bachelor of Art degree in 1952 from Augustana Theological Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois. Ray was ordained on June 15, 1952 by Augustana Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Iowa. Ray's first call was in Gwinner, North Dakota. Ray was united in marriage to Janice Boyd on August 30, 1957 in Duluth, MN. In 1974 he transferred his ministerial status to the United Church of Christ in Mahnomen, North Dakota. Ray was united in marriage to Kathryn (Jonker) Henderschiedt on November 20, 1977 in Estelline, SD. From 1977 until 1984, he was pastor at the United Church of Christ in Estelline, SD until moving to Kansas. He received his Master's degree from the University of Minnesota in 1981. He later moved to Owen, Wisconsin where he was pastor at the First Congregational United Church of Christ. In 1988, Ray served as pastor at the Tri Church Parish in Tulare, SD until his retirement in 1991. In 1991, they moved back to Estelline, SD.

He was a member of the United Church of Christ, the Masonic Lodge and the Tae Kwon Do. He especially enjoyed playing the piano, reading and working in the yard. Ray was recognized by Sioux Falls Seminary with an Honorary Doctorate of Ministry.

Ray is survived by his three sons, Paul (Beth) Torgersen of Minnetonka, MN, John (Deb) Torgersen of Ottawa, Canada and Alvin (Janet) Henderschiedt of Lake Poinsett, SD; three grandchildren and four great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Kathryn and son David Torgersen.