Funeral services for Mary C. Torness, 92, of Sisseton, SD, will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2014, at 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton, SD with the Rev. William Schruba and Rev. Ingrid Arneson Rasmussen officiating. Organists will be Estelle Pearson and Gwen Arneson with special music by Mary's grandsons Paul, Carl and Jonathan. Pallbearers will be Mary's grandchildren, Paul, Carl, Josh, Will, Jack, Jonathan, and Margaret. Interment will be at Goodwill Lutheran Cemetery, Sisseton, SD. There will be visitation on Friday, June 6, 2014, from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:00 PM in the Cahill Funeral Chapel.
Mary Chilton Powell was born August 4, 1921, in Fargo, ND, to Albert and Marian (Caldwell) Powell. She spent her early years in White Rock, SD, before moving to Sisseton in 1933.
Mary graduated from Sisseton High School in 1939 and went on to Carleton College in Northfield, MN, where she studied English and music. After graduating in 1943, she taught school in Aitkin, MN, and then moved to Minneapolis to serve the war effort as a Red Cross volunteer.
Mary was united in marriage to Harold L. Torness on June 6, 1945, at Gethsemane Episcopal Church in Minneapolis with Mary's uncle, Rev. Chilton Powell officiating at the ceremony. They made their home in Sisseton where Mary devoted her life to her family, church and others.
Mary was a woman of faith. A long time member of Grace Lutheran Church, she played the organ, sang in the choir, served in the kitchen and participated in Bible study groups.
Mary had a deep love of learning. She helped form Sisseton's Literary Guild, shared Harold's passion for researching local history, and left her family a priceless legacy of family history.
Mary's selfless love for others extended beyond her family to everyone she met. Her gifts of genuine conversation and hospitality touched many lives. She was concerned about those less fortunate, especially the hungry.
Mary passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 1, 2014, in her home in Sisseton.
Grateful for having shared her life are her three children, Mary Ann and (Brian) Peterson of Excelsior, MN, Jane and (John) Rasmussen of Sisseton, SD and William and (Peg) Torness of Sisseton, SD and eight grandchildren, Sarah Rasmussen and Josh Tobiessen, Paul Rasmussen and Ingrid Arneson Rasmussen, Carl Rasmussen and Angela Hummel, Kristina Elise Peterson, Jonathan Peterson, and Will, Jack, and Margaret Torness. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Marian, her sister Janet Powell Pearson and her husband Harold.
Memorials can be directed to Grace Lutheran Church, hunger relief programs, or the charity of your choice