James "Jimmy" M. Torgerson

James “Jimmy” M. Torgerson, 87, of Parkview Manor in Viroqua, died Wednesday April 25, 2018 at his home.  He was born November 18, 1930 on the Torgerson homestead in Washington Township, La Crosse County to Olette Torgerson.  He was baptized and confirmed at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church by Rev. Bach.

Jimmy enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1950 and was transferred into the U.S. Marine Corp in December 1951.  He received combat training at Camp Pendleton, California.  He served with the 1st Marine Division in Korea from April 1952 to March 1953.  Jimmy was wounded in action on May 9, 1952.  He was awarded the Purple Heart, the United Nations Service medal, Korean Service medal with 3 battle stars, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, American Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service medal, Good Conduct medal and the Navy Occupation medal.  After the war, he returned to Camp Pendleton and volunteered for a 6 month detachment to Europe to quiet unrest by the Communists – traveling to 8 countries.  He was discharged on August 18, 1953.

Jimmy worked at Anetsberger Brothers in Northbrook, Illinois for 15 years.  He married his loving wife, Violet Revels in Waukegan, Illinois on March 10, 1962. They purchased their farm in Brooksville in 1969 and moved there in 1976.  He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and served as commander for 8 years. He was also a member of the Coon Valley American Legion Post #116 and the Viroqua Eagles Club.

Survivors include many relatives and special friends, Greg Halvorson, Geoff Banta, Palmer Hoffland, Nettie Sheldon, Ava Freise, Dawn DeWitt and the staff at Parkview.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 41 years, Violet on October 16, 2002, his mother in 1973, his grandfather in 1953 and a special friend Art Johnson in 2005.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday April 30, 2018 at the Skogdalen Lutheran Church with Rev. John Dumke officiating.  Burial with military honors by the Coon Valley American Legion Post #116 will be in the church cemetery.  A visitation will be from noon until service time Monday at the church.   The Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley is assisting the family.