Richard Tornquist

Richard Leonard Tornquist, 88, of Kerkhoven, died Wednesday, April 3rd at Bethesda Grand in Willmar. His funeral service will be 11:00 am, Friday, April 12th at Living Hope - Evangelical Free Church in Willmar. Visitation will be 5-7:00 pm, Thursday, April 11th at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and continue one hour prior to his service at the church. Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery in Kerkhoven. Memorials can be sent to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Salvation Army or Wycliffe International. His service will be live-streamed on the church's website (http://www.livinghopewillmar.org/live).
Richard Leonard Tornquist was born November 11, 1935, to Leonard W. and Hilve Velora (Anderson) Tornquist in Minneapolis. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Covenant Church in Minneapolis. Richard attended school at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis before graduating from Kerkhoven High School in 1953. While in high school, Richard excelled in sports, especially hockey. He continued to play hockey in college at Augsburg College in Minneapolis and later received his BA degree from Metro State University.
On December 4, 1954, Richard eloped and married the love of his life, Kathryn (Kay) Nelson, in Northwood, IA. In the years following, they had three children: Jay in 1957, Rod in 1959 and Sheila in 1962. They established their home in Kerkhoven, MN. There, he worked with his father at the Red Owl grocery store and eventually became the owner in 1964. He thrived as a part of the Kerkhoven business community and developed many long-standing relationships with others there. Richard was an active member at the Evangelical Free Church in Kerkhoven, where he was chairman of the church council and on the deacon board. He was very involved with the local youth through Youth for Christ and frequently opened his home for meetings. Throughout his senior years, he also hosted a Bible Study in his home. He easily developed friendships with the community surrounding him.
In all things, Richard was dependable, steadfast, and punctual - although with him, punctual always meant being 20 minutes early so therefore everyone else was late. He was constantly growing in his own knowledge of Biblical studies, but also loved reading various genres of fiction and, of course, Louis l'Amour Western novels. He was a big fan of any Minnesota sports team, Yahtzee, card games, and an even bigger fan of fishing, especially at his cabin on Leaf Lake in Ottertail or annual fishing trips to Canada. All of these activities he loved, but what he loved most was doing them with his children and grandchildren. He was a rock solid foundation for his family and was always there to support and love those around him. Richard (or more lovingly known as "Dad", "Grandpa Dick", "Gramps", or "Great Papa") will be severely and lovingly missed by his family, and his community.
Richard is survived by his children: Rod (Carol) Tornquist of Ottertail, Sheila Hanson of Minneapolis; daughter-in-law, Kathy Tornquist of Willmar; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and siblings: Pat Hallsten, Lowell (Barb) Tornquist and Shell Tornquist as well as many nieces, nephews and other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Kathryn (Kay) Tornquist, and his son, Jay Tornquist.
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