Earl S. Tormoen

Brother, Uncle, Friend

Age 93

Passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on 10/4/2017.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Shirley; daughter, Cheryl (Tim) Robischon; grandchildren, Josh and Kaitlyn; siblings, "Bud" (Winnie), Gladys, Joyce, Jim (Eleanore), Shirley; many relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by parents, Carl and Stella; brothers, Tommy, George, Vern; sister, Millie.

Funeral service 11AM Mon. 10/9/17 at Christ Lutheran Church, 2475 17th Ave. E., North St. Paul. Visitation Sun. 4-7PM at Wulff Woodbury funeral Home, 2195 Woodlane Dr., Woodbury and 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

-----------------------

The Remarkable Life of Earl S. Tormoen

Earl was born on October 25, 1923 in a sod house in White Butte, South Dakota.

He was the fourth oldest of his NINE siblings (five brothers & four sisters). Big loving family!

While living in South Dakota, Earl and his siblings attended The Green Cabin School, they were all in the same room - it was a one-room school setting! In approximately 1937, Earl and his family moved to Thief River Falls, MN. Growing up, Earl recalls helping out on the family farm and doing a lot of crazy stunts with his brothers and sisters - the stories they tell, it's amazing they lived to tell them! Earl also talked about helping his dad clean out-houses in the winter! (YUCK!)

Earl joined the U.S. Navy in 1940 where he was a Gunner's Mate Petty Officer Third Class and fought for our country in World War II. Earl was also a boxer in the Navy and was very proud of the fact that at one point he was the Champion of the Seventh Fleet! Earl was ready to leave the Navy in 1944 when he thought his term was up, but when he found out he had 2 more years to go, he went AWOL and hitch-hiked across the country! He eventually returned to the Navy a month or so later and served some time in Brigg for that stunt! He officially, and honorably, left the Navy in 1946.

After leaving the Navy, Earl lived in California for a few years and worked in Howard Hughes' airplane factory. Earl moved back to Minnesota in 1956. Earl worked various construction jobs and also at Bituminous Roadways and Ashback Construction where he was a 'form truck driver' and helped build some of our MN freeways. Earl was also a truck driver for Mercury (also known as Century Mercury Motor Freight) from 1963 through 1989, when he retired.

After retirement, Earl volunteered for the Children's Home Society and worked at an on-site day care center for The St. Paul Companies. He became fondly known there as "Grandpa Earl." He enjoyed reading to the kids & spending time with them, Earl used to say this was his training for becoming a grandparent ! (Not that he needed it!)

Earl met his lovely wife, Shirley, at his brother Jim's wedding in 1959. Earl and Shirley were later married on October 2, 1965. Earl was a very compassionate and devoted husband, always willing to help cook and clean and kept the coffee and the flowing! THANKS EARL FOR BEING SO WONDERFUL & SPOILING SHIRLEY WITH YOUR LOVE!

Earl and Shirley had their one and only child, Cheryl, on May 6, 1970. Earl was a very supportive and loving father. He was always there for his daughter, attending virtually all of her sports activities, choir concerts, church activities, high school and college functions, and sharing in every happy moment in between - the list is endless!

THANKS DAD FOR YOUR CONSTANT LOVE & DEVOTION!

Earl and Shirley gained their son-in-law, Tim on May 24, 1997. Earl sure enjoyed the handy-man help

that Tim would so readily provide! THANKS EARL FOR YOUR KINDNESS & LOVE!

Earl and Shirley are the proud grandparents of Josh, born September 24, 1998 and Kaitlyn, born July 27, 2001. According to Grandpa Earl, his grandkids are the best thing ever! He loved spending time with them, attending their sporting activities and school programs. He was so very proud of both of them!

THANKS GRANDPA FOR ALL OF YOUR GREAT STORIES & OVERFLOWING LOVE!

Besides spending time with his family, Earl enjoyed deer hunting, bowling, playing horseshoes, traveling, dancing and playing cards with family and friends. He also enjoyed making homemade bread and the absolute best, mouth-watering apple pie! And of course he loved cheering on the MN Twins and the MN Vikings!

ANYONE WHO KNEW EARL, KNEW HE WAS A KIND, EASY-GOING & FUN-LOVING GUY!

BIG HEART, BIG SMILE, SO SPECIAL & ONE OF A KIND! LOVED BY SO MANY!

THANKS EARL FOR ALL OF THE GREAT TIMES & FANTASTIC MEMORIES!