Rose Marie Torgerson

Rose was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Verle C. Utterback of Sigourney, and Blanche E. (Knox) Utterback of Delta, as well as two of her dear sisters: Lois (Utterback) Collins of Sigourney, and Alma (Utterback) Tallman of Atlantic. She is survived by her dear sister Avis (Utterback) Keen of Phoenix. She graduated from Sigourney High School and began her adult journey with a resilient and adventurous spirit.

As an adult, Rose moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where she worked as a phone operator for Standard Oil Company (later known as AMOCO). It was there she met Robert “Bob” B. Torgerson. The two were married on June 22nd, 1973, and Rose became a loving stepmother to Bob’s four children: Sandra K. Torgerson, Deborah A. (Torgerson/Fogleman) Savage (Gregory V. Fogleman, Daniel W.

Savage), Jerry S. Torgerson (Michelle R. [Iennaccaro] Torgerson), and Rick A. Torgerson (Laura L. [Mennen] Torgerson). Rose is survived by all except her husband Bob, who passed in 2015, and Debbie’s husband Dan, who passed in 2022.

Rose cherished her grandchildren: Jessica Moore, Brent Torgerson (Olivia Brosnan), Jaquelyn (Torgerson) Haynes (Cory Haynes), Dennis Fogleman, Scott Fogleman, Maribeth Savage, Ryan Torgerson (Lacey Peterson Torgerson), Johnathan Torgerson, Chase Torgerson, McKenzie Torgerson, Lindsey Torgerson, and Lucas Torgerson. She is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren (Kruz, Nevin, London, Henry, Rylee, Emma, Bronx, Jaelyn, Jackson, Rylee, Boyd, Darcy, and Liam), and many nieces and nephews who will all miss her dearly.

Although Rose never had children of her own, she gave her heart and love without reserve to her entire family, always kind and generous to each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild she knew. She had a gift for making everyone feel valued and loved.

Rose found joy in playing the piano, working on puzzles, playing solitaire, and taking photos of her family. She truly enjoyed watching all sports, and following sports was a big and meaningful part of her life. Over the years she developed a deep love for the Arizona Diamondbacks (Her #1 favorite team). However, Tucson is Arizona's second-largest city, which where The University of Arizona is located – Arizona's first university and home of the Wildcats. Rose followed most all the Wildcat teams with great enthusiasm. Additionally, she also enjoyed cheering for both the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State Cyclones, especially during basketball and football seasons. Nevertheless, her loyalty to the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs remained constant throughout her life as well. She listened to both country and modern alternative music, and often you could hear her humming along to the songs she loved. She and Bob shared adventures in their 5th Wheel Travel Trailer after retirement, spending summers traveling the Midwest and making lasting memories with family while living in Arizona.

A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor on December 20th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Mountainside Village Clubhouse, 3341 W Gentry Ln, Tucson, AZ 85746. Friends and family are warmly welcome to remember and celebrate a life well-lived.

Rose’s kindness, generosity, and love for her family will be treasured forever by all who had the joy of knowing her.