Elva Elaine Swenson Torgrimson

Elva Elaine Swenson Torgrimson of Natchitoches, LA, passed away Monday, September 9, 2013, a week shy of her 98th birthday. She was the widow of Dr. Paul Torgrimson, long-time Professor of Piano at Northwestern State University. Mrs. Torgrimson was a native of Sisseton, South Dakota. A graduate of the University of North Dakota, she taught business and English in high schools in Minnesota, Montana, and South Dakota before she and her husband Paul moved to Natchitoches in 1945. Mrs. Torgrimson worked for many years in the library at Northwestern State College and then taught in the Natchitoches Parish schools, including Cloutierville, Gorum, and Ashland High Schools. After earning her masters degree from NSC in 1967, she taught English at the university for several years until her retirement. She was active for many years in the Natchitoches Garden Club and Lesche Club. Mrs. Torgrimson was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Albert and Clara Pryor Swenson, her husband of 63 years, Paul Torgrimson, and one son, Karl Torgrimson. She is survived by one daughter, Ellen Torgrimson of Natchitoches, LA; two sons, Peter Torgrimson and wife Carol of Austin, TX and Mark Torgrimson and wife Beth of Columbia, MD; five grandchildren, Andrew Torgrimson and wife Christian of Atlanta, GA, Erica Quinn and husband Jonathan of Glasgow, Scotland, Sarah Torgrimson of San Francisco, CA, Stephen Torgrimson and wife Cassie of Laurel, MD, and Kristen Torgrimson of New York, NY; and four great grandchildren, Devin and Bodie Torgrimson and Joan and Alice Quinn. Mrs. Torgrimson was very fortunate in her later years to have wonderful neighbors, Melissa and Rodney Robinson and Joey and Theresa Matheson, who provided much support and friendship, especially after she became a widow. The family would also like to thank her long-time physician, Dr. Archie Breazeale; caregivers Ethel McHenry, Cecile Brooks, Francesca Brooks, and Helen Raymond who enabled her to live in her home for as long as feasible; the United Methodist Women who provided companionship and support throughout her later years; the numerous nurses, aides, and other staff who took care of her at the Natchitoches Community Care Center along with the many individuals and groups who volunteer their time and talents at the home; and Glenda Guillet, Marie McDaniel, and other nurses and staff of Hospice of Natchitoches for their invaluable support the last two weeks of her life. Funeral services will be held at the First Methodist Church on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on September 27, 2013 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Caroline Dorman Foundation, P.O. Box 226, Natchitoches, LA 71458, or the Paul Torgrimson Scholarship for Piano Performance, c/o NSU Foundation, 535 University Pkwy, Natchitoches, LA.