Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1948
DIED
2025
FUNERAL HOME
Leonard Torpen Obituary
February 11, 1948 - March 31, 2025
Leonard "Lenny" "Torp" Torpen was born in Bowman, ND on February 11, 1948 to Kenneth and Joyce (Tiegen) Torpen. He attended grade school at Whiting, ND (south of Scranton, ND) and graduated from Scranton High School. After graduating he worked at Colloid at Gascoyne, ND.
On February 13, 1968 he enlisted in the US Army and was sent to Vietnam in July 1969. He received his honorable discharge later that same year in November. In 1972 Lenny married Lucille Anderson and to this union three beautiful girls were born. He moved to Colorado and the marriage ended in divorce. He worked in Colorado until his father became ill and he moved to Bowman, ND to live with and care for him. After the death of his father, he moved to Spearfish, where he bought a home. Later he sold the house to became a full-time RVer, traveling with his beloved dog, Uffda.
In 2014 he got together with an old acquaintance named Verna; beginning a beautiful romance. They married in June 2020, beginning a life of traveling, adventures and living fully every minute. In 2023 his health was not good enough to continue traveling and they moved to Rapid City, SD, where they lived until his death. Lenny made friends wherever he went and always loved joking around. His daughters and grandchildren meant the world to him.
Leonard Kenneth Torpen, 77, of Rapid City, SD passed away Monday, March 31, 2025.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenny and Joyce Torpen, grandparents and best friend, Kenny Morland.
Lenny is survived by his daughters, Holly (Jim) Kreft, Heather (Shane) Freitag and Hope (Jeff) Wedul; grandchildren, Alexis, Oscar, Ellie, Sophia, Sadie, Hudson, Walker, and Jack; brothers, Ernie and Larry; two precious sisters, Susan and Barbara; many nieces and nephews; and his loving wife and soulmate, Verna (Clark) Torpen.
Family memorial services, with military honors, will be at Black Hills National Cemetery on April 18 at 12:30 p.m.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
Memories and Condolences
for Leonard Torpen
Sponsored by Kinkade Funeral Chapel.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in Leonard Torpen's name
Memorial Events
for Leonard Torpen
How to support Leonard's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Leonard Torpen's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
