Jan S. Torkelson
July 14, 1951 – July 10, 2025
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at First English Lutheran Church in Spencer, Iowa. Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Terril, Iowa, with Rev. Thomas Marth officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Terril.
Jan Susan Torkelson, 73, of Terril, was called home to the Lord on Thursday, July 10, 2025, passing peacefully in her home with her devoted husband of 52 years, Dewey, by her side.
Born on July 14, 1951, to Robert and Elizabeth (Geraldi) Fippinger, Jan arrived ten minutes after her identical twin and lifelong best friend, Karen. The twins were inseparable from the very beginning – first in idyllic Oak Park, Illinois, where they spent their early years, and later in small town – Aledo, Illinois, where they moved in 8th grade. Many of the stories for which Jan would later become known were rooted in these childhood years, told with the warmth, humor, and timing that made her such an iconic storyteller.
After graduating from Aledo High School, Jan started at Central College before joining Karen at Coe College. It was at Coe where Jan first spotted Dewey Torkelson, the soft-spoken football star she proceeded to chase and “accidentally” bump into all over campus. All who knew Jan knew the stories of how Jan won Dewey’s heart, and, like all of Jan’s best stories, the story of their meeting and courtship got even better with each retelling.
Jan and Dewey were married on November 25, 1972, beginning the journey that would lead to their beloved corner of northwest Iowa when Dewey was offered a teaching job in Terril. Jan soon began teaching as well, supervising 4 hours of recess duty at Lake Center School before teaching PE and high school Spanish at Terril Community School. Later, Jan had the privilege of teaching in Graettinger, Ruthven, and Spirit Lake, dedicating over 40 years to education and the community. Known to generations of students as “Mrs. T,” Jan was the kind of teacher they make movies about. She made every student feel valued. It wasn’t uncommon for her to run into former students and spend an hour or longer catching up – remembering names, stories, and favorite sports. Once you were her student, she cared about you as one of her kids. And as these students grew up and became parents, they entrusted Mrs. T with their own kids, creating a lasting educational legacy.
Her love for Jesus was a defining part of Jan’s life. A devoted member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Terril for more than 40 years, she channeled her love of teaching into Vacation Bible School, Confirmation classes, and her weekly Bible study with her treasured “Bible Study Ladies.” She never missed a chance to talk about God’s love, especially after her cancer diagnosis. In her final year, her faith only deepened. She never wavered, never questioned the purpose God had for her, and used every moment to love others and point them to Christ.
Being “Mom” to Kyle, Beth, and Megan was the Lord’s ultimate calling for Jan’s life. She poured her heart into her kids and never missed a game, concert, or event. From the stands of every football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, and softball game, you couldn’t miss Jan beaming with pride and team spirit while flashing her famous big smile. She rooted hard for everyone, and if you were on the team, you knew she was cheering for you like you were her own. A highlight memory for Jan was watching the love of her life, Dewey, coach their daughter Megan all the way to the 2007 basketball state championship. In recent years, her joy only multiplied as she became “Nana” to seven grandchildren, showing up at their events with the same boundless enthusiasm and love.
Jan’s battle with cancer was marked by the same faith, warmth, and humor that defined her life. She made friends during every hospital stay, helped people laugh through chemo, and reminded everyone, even more so toward the end, of the hope she had in Jesus. Her family is deeply grateful to the incredible staff at Spencer Avera Hospital, Abben Cancer Center, and Avera Home Health and Hospice for the love and compassion she received in their care.
Jan is survived by her husband, Dewey; son, Kyle (Amy) Torkelson; daughters, Beth (John) Elam and Megan (Marc) Klima; grandchildren, Teake, Trygg, and Tayne Torkelson, Paxton and Hudson Elam, Norah and Hattie Klima; her twin sister, Karen (Jim) Pecor; brothers, Bob Fippinger and Scott (Ann) Fippinger; and a large, loving extended family of in-laws, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, maternal & paternal grandparents, and two little boys she will meet in heaven.
Jan Susan Torkelson was a wife, a mother, a sister, a Nana, an aunt, a teacher, a friend, a storyteller, a prayer warrior, and so much more. As Karen said to her near the end, “Well done, Jan. Life well lived.” We would love to gather stories about Jan’s beautiful life. If you have a favorite “Jan story,” whether one she told or one you’ll never forget about her, we welcome you to share it for us to compile for family and those who loved her by going to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfL934yo3Rky73HudH6bVVV_c218K3UNVIUGsRDkFNBXjuxNQ/viewform
Arrangements by Geelan Funeral Home of Spencer.
