Shirley Cichy, 82
Shirley Ann Backhus, 82, died unexpectedly on February 26, 2012.
- Shirley Cichy
Shirley Ann Backhus, 82, died unexpectedly on February 26, 2012.
Shirley was born in Frederic, Wisconsin on April 10, 1929, the daughter of Henry and Adele (Hasher) Backhus. Her family farmed near Siren, Wisconsin until Shirley started school, at which time they moved back to Minnesota to care for her maternal grandparents.
Shirley was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mapleton, graduated from Mapleton High School and then married Christian Torgusen on July 5, 1947. The couple farmed near Easton and began raising a family. They lived in several other locations until Shirley settled her family of five near Garfield and later in Brandon so she could be near her parents and sister.
Shirley enjoyed her years working at the Singer Sewing Center in Alexandria, for Arnie’s Dairy in Brandon, in the Alexandria Public Library and as a foster grandparent at the Brandon School. She was an excellent seamstress and sewed most of her kids’ clothes and went on to do the same for grandkids. Shirley and Ervin had a couple of home-based businesses including Knit E-Z, using knitting machines, and also in sales with aloe vera products with SASCO. The last few years of her life she preferred to knit and crochet by hand in her recliner when she wasn’t playing cards or studying for her “finals” in the Bible. Shirley attended Chippewa Lutheran Church and was also proud to be a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #278 in honor of her husbands and sons.
Shirley married Francis Haabala on December 23, 1968 and Ervin Cichy on November 26, 1975. Later, Shirley moved into Alexandria to stay close to her sister. She enjoyed life at Bethel Manor and took part in the activities there. Shirley was very thankful to be a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and enjoyed doing some traveling and attending family and school events whenever possible through the years.
She is survived by her sons, Richard (Rosemary) Torgusen, Elbow Lake, and Russell (Barbra) Torgusen, Port Lavaca, TX; her daughter, Cheryl (Jerry) Johnson, Evansville; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant sister and sister, Marie Nokes; husbands; son, Roy; daughter, Sheila; granddaughter-in-law, Lynette Fuchs Johnson; and nephew, Raymond Nokes.
Funeral services were held March 3 with the Rev. Andrea Olson officiating at Bethany Home Chapel. Music was provided by Jan Holverson. Pallbearers were her grandchildren, Shawn Green, John Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Theresa Johnson, Rebecca Torgusen, Melissa Torgusen, Arron Torgusen, Erik Torgusen, Deanna McGlothin and Michelle Torgusen. Interment was at Finnish Apostolic Cemetery in Moe Township.
Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.
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Tags: obituaries
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