Final Salute

STOUGHTON – Llewellyn A. “Lou” Torngren, 93, passed away on April 25, 2026, at his home in Stoughton. Lou was born to Carl and Nora Torngren on October 20, 1932, in Newark, S.D. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 56 years, Theresa Torngren; his daughter, Joann Whitewing; brothers, Theran and Eugene Torngren; and his grandchildren, Elizabeth and Kyle Torngren.

Lou, fondly called “Papa Lou” by all who loved him, lived a full and vibrant life. He lived a life in service to others and enjoyed many meaningful relationships with his family, friends and community members. Everyone who met Papa Lou loved him immediately. He treated others with respect and dignity and was held in high regard by all who knew him. He was a man of loyalty and honor. He loved nature all his life, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, adventuring on his motorcycle and UTV, visiting natural areas, and taking care of and observing wildlife.

On October 31, 1951, Lou enlisted in the U.S. Navy Seabees and served his country for the next four years in this specialized unit. He spent two years in Japan and two years in the Philippines as a Heavy Equipment Operator. He was discharged from duty in 1955 with a Good Conduct Medal and a National Defense Service Medal. Papa Lou was proud to serve his country and his community and continued to do so for all of his post-military life with an active role in his local VFW, where he eventually held the position of “Surgeon.” He regularly participated in holiday parades and the honor guard. Lou was also able to enjoy the Honor Flight from Madison to Washington D.C. in May 2016.

After his time in the service, Lou worked for 26 years for Milwaukee County, starting with the park system and eventually for the Milwaukee County Highway Department, which he retired from in 1994. Part of his work included maintaining important infrastructure, like the iconic Hoan Memorial Bridge that connects downtown Milwaukee to the Lake Freeway over the Milwaukee River inlet.

Lou married Theresa Slater on June 7, 1958, and they began their life and family together in Milwaukee. Together they shared 56 full years of building friendships, traveling the country, and raising their six children. In retirement, they moved out of the city and north to Endeavor to live a more quiet life surrounded by nature. Here, they established themselves strongly in the community and became cherished members of the Oxford VFW. They made many lasting friendships and enjoyed riding their motorcycle throughout the beautiful state of Wisconsin. Lou loved to give people rides in the motorcycle side-car that he added for Theresa to ride in, and they were well-known for this special pastime.

After Theresa’s passing in 2013, Lou remained an active member in his community and continued to enjoy friendships and traveling. He spent the last decade with a persistent vibrant energy and zest for life. With his partner, Lonnie Luebke, Lou enjoyed many more adventures—including recently visiting Alaska in the summer of 2025.

From riding his motorcycle in Wisconsin summers, to driving his UTV around the mountains of Arizona in the winter, Lou remained very active into his late life. He absolutely loved being alive. He sought out new experiences up until the very end. Throughout his whole life he never stopped learning, loving, or living boldly. He was full of stories that one loved to hear again and again, and he had a gleam in his eye when he would sneak a joke into conversation. He fiercely loved his family and friends, and loved to be with them. Lou’s legacy will be remembered and cherished by all who knew him, and he will be greatly missed.

Lou is survived by many, many family and friends who love him dearly, including his partner, Lonnie Luebke; his brothers, Theander “Skip” Torngren and Rodney Torngren; his children, Katharine (Mike) Hincak, Wayne (Tracy) Torngren, Laurie (Dale) Sturdevant, Carl (Shelly) Torngren and Martha Suttner (Jim Theroux); his grandchildren, Jessica Whitewing-Clark, Michael Phillips, Nicole (Justin) Lange, Melisa (Mike) Koehler, Amanda (Tom) Lex, Kristine Suttner, Nicholas (Caley) Hincak, Danielle (Brian) Hart, Julia Gajewski (Max Toso) and Ben (Andi) Torngren; 12 great-grandchildren; his partner Lonnie’s children, Dawn (Jack) Zeimet, Bill (Amber) Luebke, Scott (Nicole) Klimek, John (Pam) Klimek and Jim (Bev) Klimek, and their children and grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. MARY’S HELP OF CHRISTIANS CATHOLIC CHURCH, N565 County Road A, Briggsville, at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Oxford VFW – Neenah Valley Post 6003. They will be providing the post-service luncheon. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.