Gerald Vigstol was born to Ole and Annie (Christopherson) Vigstol in Grand Forks, ND on December 21, 1936. Annie died a few weeks after Gerald was born. A variety of loving family members took care of Gerald for his first 2 years of life. At age 2 he went to live with his great-uncle and aunt, Gunval and Julia Torkelson, joining their 9 children as the youngest brother. He also remained close to his dad. Gerald joined the Army after high school graduation, and was trained in telephone central office installation and repair. His time at the Panama Canal was a highlight of his service in the Army. In 1963 he married Jeanette Houck, and they lived in Minneapolis for a year, then moved to St. Louis Park where they raised their 3 children. There they were members of First Lutheran Church. He worked for Western Electric, which eventually became a part of AT&T, for 33 years. He did some contract work for a few more years until he and Jeanette fully retired and moved back to his home farm in Strandquist. They joined Hegland Lutheran, his childhood church next door to the farm. In his last years, after the loss of his beloved wife, he resided in assisted living near his children.
He enjoyed being outdoors, working on the farm, or finding projects to work on; he could fix almost anything. When his children were young, he enjoyed camping with his family. Above all he loved God and his family, and raised his children to love God. Gerald was very gentle and kind, and had an infectious smile.
He died on Saturday, July 25, 2020, surrounded by family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jeanette (Houck); and several Torkelson family members, Gunval and Julia, Harold, Alice Hodne, Glenn, Clifford, Eunice, Audrey McKnight. He is survived by 3 of his Torkelson sisters, Lulu (Harlan) Darkenwald, Lorraine Costello and Evelyn Warnes; by his children, Rebecca, Gregory (Maria), and Deanne (Ramon) Tabora; grandchildren, Joshua, Aaron, Josiah, Jonathan, Sarahi (Peter); and great grandchildren, Evan and Lilly.
Visitation Wednesday (July 29, 2020) from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at SANDBERG FUNERAL HOME, 2593 E. 7th Ave., North St. Paul. Funeral Service Saturday (August 1, 2020) 10:00 AM at Westaker Lutheran Church, 321 Minnesota Ave E, Newfolden, MN with visitation starting at 9:00 AM. Interment Hegland Lutheran Church Cemetery, 25780 440th St NW Strandquist, MN.