Shirley Marie Torsch

As you can see I 'm writing this myself, I always needed the last word. I lost my battle with cancer. I was born Shirley Marie Metcalfe on June 12, 1940, to Thomas and Ila Tukua Metcalfe. I attended Hammer School through 6th grade, the Albert Lea Junior and Senior High, graduating in 1958. At the age of 20, I married Marlin Thompson, the father of my five children. We were married 22 years, and later divorced in 1983. In 1994, I married Donald Torsch in Albert Lea. I worked at Spurgeon's for 14 years, then Streater's for 13 years and currently at ALMC for 10 years. I enjoyed working my crossword in the Albert Lea Tribune every day. I liked playing pool on many pool leagues. I liked pitching on many different softball leagues. I liked knitting, crocheting, playing cribbage with my friend Donna daily and teaching my granddaughter Kayla how to play cribbage. I liked watching the MN Vikings and golf on TV. I loved my yearly trips to Las Vegas with brother Don, his wife Joyce, and friends. I enjoyed coffee parties with my four friends, Gloria, Donna, Mary P. and Mary G. I still kept in touch with high school friends Jeanie Adams, Sandy Lind and Pat Pederson. My survivors are son, Mitch Thompson and friend Elizabeth King of Lakeland, MN; daughters, Shawn Kaasa and friend Brent Seaberg of Savage, MN, Traci Jeff Bennett of Albert Lea, Kris Rob Cich of Savage, MN, Jodi Tom Foss of Owatonna, MN; grandchildren, Thomas Collins of U of M, Duluth, Brooke Kaasa and friend Tony Shafer of Cottage Grove, MN, Brittney Kaasa of U of M, River Falls, Kayla Thompson of Albert Lea, Heather Bennett and fiancé Scott of Wisconsin, Cody Bennett and friend Casey Laite of Clarks Grove, Jacob Cich, Baghdad, Iraq, Michelle Cich of U of M Duluth, Bobbi Foss of Owatonna, Megan Foss of Owatonna, Makenzie Thompson of Hastings, Karissa Thompson of Hastings, Alyssa Mussehl of Lakeland, MN; great-grandchild, Avah Bennett; step children, Kirk Thompson of Albert Lea, Brenda Joel Bell of Stewartville, Scott Torsch and Steve Torsch; step-grandchildren, Eric Bell, Madison, Makalah and Marshall Torsch; sister, Betty Roger Hermanson of Albert Lea; brother, Donald Metcalfe of Albert Lea; brothers-in-law, Paul Andersen of Waseca, Neil Severson of Albert Lea; ex-daughter-in-law, Tamara Thompson of Hastings; ex-son-in-law, Scott Kaasa of Austin, and Mark Collins of Albert Lea; many nieces, nephews and cousins. I was preceded in death by my parents, Tom and Ila Metcalfe; grandparents, Carl and Amelia Tukua, and Mable Metcalfe Stuart; granddaughter, Breanna Kaasa at age 3; husband, Donald Torsch in 1998; ex-husband, Marlin Thompson in 2003; sisters, Phyllis Andersen at age 62, and Mary Severson at age 60; brothers, Dwayne Richard Metcalfe in infancy, Thomas Jr. at age 26, Dale at age 46, and James at age 58; sister-in-law, Joyce Metcalfe in 2008; nephew, Steven Hanson age 52; and special pet muffin. I would like to thank Dr. Kammerer, the doctors and nurses in oncology, the doctors and nurses in radiation; and my bosses and co-workers at ALMC in dietary, whom I've had fun working with.