Theodore Torgerson Obituary

Theodore 'Ted' James Torgerson
North Fort Myers, FL – Theodore "Ted" James Torgerson passed away March 10th, 2026, at his home in North Fort Myers, where he and his wife Janet (Rankin) Tingley-Torgerson reside. Ted's parents were Perry Bernice and Adeline Emma (Diesterhaft) Torgerson.
Ted was born in Cumberland, Wisconsin. His family lived in Almena, Wisconsin before moving to Cary, Illinois when he was 3. Ted graduated from Cary Grove High School in 1969. He loved sports and played Basketball and Baseball, coached girls softball, was on a bowling league, darts league and foosball enthusiast! Ted also participated in musical productions and choir while in high school.
Ted lived a full and active life until his cancer diagnosis in April of 2024. After treatments ended 9/11/2024, he was in remission. He sailed through treatments with a positive attitude and often witnessed and prayed for those sitting next to him in the treatment room. Ted continued his walking and physical therapy pushing through the side effects.
Ted's favorite job was working as a harness racing official. He got his start as an assistant paddock judge at the Springfield State Fair, and went on to work at Quad City Downs, Maywood, Sportsman's, Balmoral, Fairmont Parks, and Hawthorne Race Course. Ted was able to work last years summer racing program at Springfield and Du Quoin, and the state fairs, spanning over 50 years at this position.
When he wasn't working at the track, he was a construction carpenter, working for Gary Richards and Associates. (He always joked he was the ass part of the operations.) They built and remodeled many homes in Clark and Crawford Counties, and a few in Indiana. They always became like family at every job. He had an incredible bond with Gary and Kent and the crew working. Even though Ted did not grow up in Clark County, he was well known, liked and respected by many.
Ted is sadly missed by his family, his wife Janet; Ted's children by marriage that he loved like his own, Amy (Tingley) Highsmith, Alison (Tingley) JR Armstrong, and Adam and Emily Tingley; grandchildren, August, Aubrey, Hutton, and Oliver Highsmith, Taylor, Mitch, and Levi Armstrong, and Mack and Kimber Tingley; his mother-in-law Veda Rankin; his sister, Ruth Ann Isaacs; brother, Robert (Gwen) Torgerson: nieces, nephews and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; Janet's dad, Jerry Rankin, brother-in-law Ron Isaacs, and Jack Rankin; aunt and uncles, cousins, and grandson Hudson Theodore Highsmith. Ted loved each and everyone of them beyond words.
Ted will always be remembered as a stand-up guy, a friend to all. As one friend said "Ted was among the 2%ers" you know, the 2% of the really genuine good guys! He loved his family and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.