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Lee Torlakson Obituary
While pursuing a masters in drama, she performed with the USO for troops in Korea, Japan and Okinawa and joined the cast of the MN Centennial Showboat. After moving to San Francisco to teach English, she met the love of her life, Allen (Tor) Torlakson. Lee Ann loved the arts. Tor loved taking her out on the boat he christened "Freya," after her. She was his first mate; he her faithful opera date.
Her other great love was teaching. For twenty years she taught Honors and AP English at Lowell High School and noted they, "were the best years of my professional life." She relished teaching her wonderful students about life and literature, and was greatly admired for her talent and dedication.
In 1974, Lee Ann and Tor built their home in Half Moon Bay and enjoyed the ocean, walking their German Shepherds (Ulf and Flicka), and hosting friends and family. In summer they visited her family in MN, Tor's in Iceland, and explored museums, theaters, and historical sites in England, Europe and Mexico.
Lee Ann retired early in 1994 to be with Tor and suffered greatly when he died in 1995. She explained, "I sorely miss his love of books, his pleasure in taking his boat out to sea, his fondness of pets, his manic sense of humor – yes, I miss him." She also missed teaching and found comfort tutoring students. Trips to see family, to Shakespeare and Austen festivals and to Norway were special pleasures, as were each season's opera and symphony performances.
In 2009, Lee Ann was diagnosed with dementia. As it progressed, she often wrote notes on cards. On one found recently she wrote, "I love you and the years. I hope you remember! I've not forgotten; not forgotten."
Lee Ann was deeply loved by her family (step-sons Tom and Jim Torlakson and their families, niece and nephews, Caroline, Stephen, David and Ted Irgens and theirs). They are very grateful for Annie, Alejandra, and especially Edna, who enabled Lee Ann to remain in her home, with her beloved cats, her books, and her music.
Service: Coastside Lutheran, 11am, January 18th. Memoriams: St. Olaf College, Lowell High School, or the ASPCA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lee Torlakson
Sponsored by Duggan's Serra Mortuary - Daly City.
Stephen Lau
May 14, 2024
I was a student in Ms. Torlakson´s English classes in the early 90´s. She and Ms. Stewart were my favorites! This will sound strange, but I am struck by how much Shakespeare and Steinbeck and Gatsby have kept popping up in my life in unexpected moments to help me out. I intend to introduce these friends to my daughter as soon as she is ready to meet them. This is your legacy, Ms. Torlakson - rest in peace.
Carla Passero
February 3, 2019
I was a student at Lowell High School in the late '80's and early 90's. I can picture Ms. Torlakson in the classroom. She made a big impression on me. I appreciated her devotion to teaching and to her students. I am happy she lived such a full life aside from teaching. I am grateful for her presence in my life.
Maya Cowan
January 30, 2019
Mrs. Torlakson was one of my favorite high school teacher at Lowell. She encouraged me to break out of my shyness to read aloud plays and books in class. I remember reading The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire as well as books like The Sound And The Fury and A Separate Peace. I name these titles because they are indelibly printed in my memory because of the way Mrs. Torlakson taught them. She made the words come alive and let me feel safe enough to experiment with the way I read the words aloud. She stood out in a crowd of typical high school teachers: always formally dressed in wool skirts, thick framed glasses and her signature red lipstick; unique in her own style and strong in her convictions. I have often thought of her throughout my life and will continue to carry my memories of her with me. My condolences to her family; I hope it brings you some comfort to know how much she positively impacted her students.
Mae Torlakson
January 18, 2019
Lee Ann - a beautiful woman.
Mae Torlakson
January 18, 2019
Family and friends gather to celebrate Lee Ann.
Mae Torlakson
January 18, 2019
A celebration of life.
Mae Torlakson
January 18, 2019
This is Lee Ann's church.
Mae Torlakson
January 18, 2019
At the altar of Coastside Lutheran Church.
Mae Torlakson
January 18, 2019
Lee Ann's favorite portrait.
Mae Torlakson
January 18, 2019
Ian Lovejoy
January 17, 2019
I was a student in Mrs. Torlakson's high school English class. If I have any ability to present myself as an educated adult, I owe it in large part to her.
Her love of language and literature helped me understand the importance and joy of decoding multiple layers of meaning in a written work. Her feedback on my essays taught me to express my thoughts clearly, and to assess my writing critically, from the point of view of the reader. These lessons have been invaluable in practically every aspect of my professional and personal life, probably in more ways than I know. High school students sometimes ask, "When am I ever going to use this?" I wish I could explain to every one of them what Mrs. Torlakson's English classes have meant to me.
She was so brimming with warmth and enthusiasm, that I can still picture her as clearly as if I were in her class right now. A few times she let it slip that she was tired because she had been up all night grading papers, yet her energy to teach seemed undiminished. During class discussion, when a student would say something especially relevant, her eyes lit up and she would point at them and exclaim, "YES!" in a way that you had to be there to truly appreciate. There was something in that "YES!" that convinced you there was reason to be excited about the subject, that it was worthwhile, that you should want to understand. For a student who thought they didn't have any aptitude for or interest in literature, it could tip the scales from "having to learn" to "wanting to learn," which made all the difference.
I can vividly remember how Mrs. Torlakson scored essays on a point system. She gave no points for making assertions. You received points for each piece of evidence you cited from the work to support your assertion. For most observations, you received one point; for a more insightful observation, Mrs. Torlakson gave two points. She would write little check marks and 2s above your text, so you could see where you had written something that counted. Even today, when I realize I've written a paragraph of vague generalizations without really saying anything, I reread it and think to myself, "Is there anything in here that would have earned a point from Mrs. Torlakson?"
She is a shining example of the difference one person can make with passion and dedication. People like her make the world a better place for all of us. People like her show us why things matter. They make things matter. I am sure she changed the lives of countless students. Without a doubt, she changed mine forever.
May she rest in peace.
Sergio Mairena
January 14, 2019
Please accept my condolences on your loved one's loss.
I too was a perennial student of hers at Lowell High School in San Francisco. My esteem for her teachings didn't reach its zenith until my MBA Progran. Having the ability to convey visions and emote responses proved to be powerful lifelong tool sets.
Fe Cendana
January 13, 2019
My deepest sympathy , Mae and Tom..
Liberty Stanavage
January 13, 2019
I was a student of Mrs. Torlakson's at Lowell High School. Her teaching helped spur a love of literature and of learning that led me to in turn become an English professor. My condolences to her loved ones. She was a wonderful teacher, and I am profoundly grateful for having known her.
Jim Potts
January 13, 2019
Jim and Tom please accept my condolences on the death of your step-mother.
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