Cynthia K. Torgerson

“Our mom is truly amazing” the Torgerson children would repeat this statement continuing on with a list of many talents and skills that made her the best mom ever: custom cake designer, best kid birthday parties, homemade doll clothes, quilter, crocheter, floral designer, shopper, “Master” Farkle/Rummikub/Chinese Checkers player, homemade soup maker, a great listener and advice giver, and a fancy dresser right up to the end, and shared Gods love with all she encountered. Cindy went home to be with her heavenly Farther on April 18, 2026, at the age of 77.

Cynthia “Cindy” (Nelson) Torgerson was born September 15,1948 to Alvin and Alice (Oppegaard) Nelson of rural New London, MN. She attended and graduated from New London High School in 1966 then attended Robinson Beauty School in Minneapolis, graduating July 1967. She began her career at the Biltmore Beauty Salon in Edina MN. She met Jerry on a chance encounter on May 5th, 1966, while attending Grand March in Belgrade. She and Jerry were engage in September 1967 and married January 6,1968 at Lebanon Lutheran Church in New London, MN. Cindy and Jerry were married for 58 years and made Belgrade their home for over 55 years, spending the last few years in West Fargo, ND.

Cindy was first, and foremost, a wife, mother, and homemaker. Over the first eight years of marriage, Cindy and Jerry brought home six beautiful children. She will tell you her greatest accomplishment was being the mom to these six: Kim (Tim) Anderson, Janna (Mike) Engle, Chad (Marion) Torgerson, Holly (Ben) Doyle, Shelly (Tracy) Gompf, and Amy (Keith) Vogt. Cindy loved being a mom, which led to her and Jerry becoming foster parents and caring for David Gilroy, Natasha Hilliard, and Bonnie Davis, loving them as if they were their own.

She worked as a CNA for the Belgrade Nursing home, as a florist at the Posie Peddler, later becoming On the Avenue Floral and working for her sister Sandi, while years later at Cash Wise Floral in Willmar. Finding herself a bit bored in retirement, Cindy found her passion for caregiving again providing respite services for a local family’s mom.

Cindy was a longtime member of Crow River Lutheran Church in Belgrade. Some of her most cherished memories were being the Sunday School Superintendent, President of the Alter Guild, leading the children’s music program for fifteen years, singing with the young adults, and the church choir – music was in her soul!

On July 26, 1998, she was given a second chance at life and received a double lung transplant. Organ and tissue transplant became her passion, and she began sharing her story. A highlight of her speaking circuit was being a keynote at the University of MN Physician conference where she received a standing ovation – an honor until the day she passed.

Her donor, Ginger, gave her the gift of new life allowing her to spend time and make memories for more than 27 additional years with all her beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Tyler Sjolsvold, Kassandra Sjolsvold, McKenzie (Bronson) Winkler, Gabby Sjolsvold, Ethan (Malorie) Engle, Nelson (Mariah) Engle, Lily Engle, Ashlee (Josh) Kariln, Jared Torgerson, Kaylee (Justin) Paulson, Lucas Doyle, Elliot Doyle, Hattie Gompf, Josephine Gompf, Sadie Gompf, Siri Gompf, Gracin Vogt, Karson Vogt, Anderson Vogt and Audrey Vogt. great grandchildren: Wren and Isabelle and three others on the way. Additionally, she considered her grandchildren’s significant others bonus grandchildren: Reece, Tatianna, Blane, Conner, and Max.

Cindy is preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Alice (Oppegaard) Nelson, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Audrey and Ervin Torgerson, sister Marilyn Geer, brothers-in-law Charles Geer, Charles Dahl, and Douglas Torgerson, nephew Mark Geer, and infant granddaughter Annie Gompf.

She was a wife, mother, sister, and friend that touched many lives and hearts – she will be deeply missed.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for May 30, 2026, at 11:00 am at Crow River Lutheran Church in Belgrade, MN.

Memorials may be sent to Life Source, Ethos Home Care & Hospice, or Crow River Lutheran Church in honor of Cynthia Torgerson.