Percy Tornow Obituary
Percy was born the youngest child of Fred and Lelah Tornow in rural Emery, S.D., on Aug. 24, 1934.
He married the love of his life, Lenice J. Regier, in Clear Lake, S.D., on Sept. 28, 1956. After graduating from Sioux Falls College, P.F. began his many years of service in education as he began teaching in Hurley, S.D., and moving on to his years as a hard-working and dedicated high school principal and superintendent in a number of small communities in Minnesota.
Percy later undertook his second career when he, alongside his wife, became a business entrepreneur by owning, operating and building a solid and profitable clientele at Mailboxes, Etc. in West St. Paul, Minn.
Percy walked with the Lord and was a longtime congregant of Faith Baptist Fellowship in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 60 years, Lenice; his three sons: Bryan F. Tornow (Debra R.) of La Crescent, Minn., Jeffrey E. Tornow (Debra J.) of Sioux Falls, and R. Shawn Tornow (Dawn) of Sioux Falls; 10 grandchildren, Kyle (Kaitlyn), Ben, Seth (Beth), Matt (Nicole), Cassandra (Mike), Nathan, Elijah, Megan, Jordan (Kali) and Joshua; one sister, Charmaine (Kermit) Johnson, and three nephews.
Celebration of Life services will begin at Faith Baptist at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, with burial following in Hills of Rest Cemetery.
Family will be present to greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
John Flatten
August 11, 2016
So Sorry for your loss!! It was always fun talking with Percy when he was in his office at H.H.S.
Craig Olawsky
August 10, 2016
Dear Lenice,
I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my prayers.
All my love, Craig
Rick Lamon
August 10, 2016
Lenice: So sorry to learn of Percy's passing. I have many fond memories of PFT from those earlier years in southeastern Minnesota. We will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
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August 9, 2016
Lenice, Sorry to hear of your loss. Our deepest sympathy and prayers at this very sad time.
Dennis & Karen Horner
mary schnarr
August 9, 2016
lenice and family you have my sympathy in your loss
James Taubert
August 8, 2016
Tornow Family: My wife and I are thinking of you in your time of loss. I thought of Mr. Tornow as a friend and fellow educator.
Ken & Judy Hamen
August 8, 2016
It is hard to even know where to start because we have so many fond remembrances of Percy. He will be greatly missed by all. Our sincere sympathy to Lenice and the whole family.
Barbara Ordal(Jurgens)
August 8, 2016
I only wish I had known that Mr. Tornow lived in Sioux Falls as we now live in Madison! I took shorthand, bookkeeping, and 1 year of typing at Clear Lake High School. He entered me in a first and second year typing contest and I won both even though I had one year of typing! I have often wondered and asked where he was but was unable to get in contact with him. HE WAS A TEACHER I WILL NEVER FORGET! Cherish the memories as I will!
August 8, 2016
Sending my condolences to the family. May God give you strength and peace during this difficult time. Psalms 29:11
Sheri Rozeboom-Kloes
August 8, 2016
Prayers to Lenice and Family. It is going to be an adjustment but with God's help, it prayerfully won't be as difficult. My thoughts and prayers go with you in your journey.
Barbara (Regier) Houske
August 8, 2016
I was PF's little sister for nearly 60 years. Perc helped me in many areas. When I was in college in the late 1960's, Perc would edit my many papers and edit with alacrity! During this time, Perc and Len would take me in for many holidays when I couldn't get home to Montana. I had a family. Thank you.
linda mccartney
August 8, 2016
i would like to express my sympathies to teh family.
im louise and bud tornow niece. which tehir no longer here. i was dan wieczorek daughter.
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4800 S Minnesota Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57108
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