Marilyn Flavia Blanding Torgeson passed away peacefully on November 27, 2023, in Payson, Utah. She was born March 7, 1931, in Los Angeles, California. Marilyn was the daughter of William Parley Tuttle Blanding and Norma Elizabeth Herron. Marilyn grew up and spent most of her life in Glendale, California. She attended Glendale High School, Glendale Community College, and Brigham Young University. Marilyn came home from BYU to work and figure out what she wanted to do. This is when she met her husband of 66 years, Gilbert Loraine Torgeson. Gilbert and Marilyn were married on January 28, 1955, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

Most of her life was spent raising their six children but prior to marriage Marilyn worked as a babysitter at age 12, later in her teen years as a cashier at Van De Kamps coffee shop. She also worked at Webbs department store wrapping packages, and finally as a medical assistant and office manager for Dr. William Slight.

Flower arranging and growing beautiful and exotic plants was one of her hobbies. For several years, she made flower arrangements, mostly from flowers in her yard, to place in the chapel each Sunday for church and later in the meeting house library. Marilyn also loved traveling, reading, and cooking. Most of all she loved having her family all around her.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Marilyn served in a number of callings. She served in the Primary, as a Relief Society President and for several years as a counselor, and as the meeting house librarian. Her favorite calling by far was that of librarian where she served for about 30 years.

Our dear mother is most known for her positive outlook and her ever-present smile. It was said of her that she never had a negative thing to say about anyone.

Marilyn is survived by her sister Myrna Hillquist and her six children: Kari Nielsen (Bryce), Julie Pezzillo (Mike), Eric Torgeson (Robin), Lorin Torgeson (Linda), Neil Torgeson (Paula), and Gerald Torgeson (Diana), 21 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Gilbert.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 482 West 1400 South in Payson, Utah. Visitation will be prior from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah.

The funeral service will be streamed live. Please return to Marilyn's memorial page shortly before 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2023, and click on the link below.

Marilyn Torgeson Funeral Service