In Memoriam
Remembering Lauraine Torgerson
Lauraine M. Torgerson ("Torgy"), a longtime member of Camp Fire and Executive Director of the St. Paul Council, passed away March 5, 2010 at the age of 90. Lauraine joined Camp Fire at age 10 and remained active throughout her life.
El Randels, a friend of Lauraine, said that, when Lauraine was growing up, money was tight for her and the others in her Camp Fire club; they couldn't afford to buy too many recognition beads, so they made sure to pick only the most important beads to work towards.
Education was very important to Lauraine and her family. After finishing high school, Lauraine attended the University of Minnesota, where she majored in business management. This was not a typical field for women to pursue at that time, but Lauraine liked accounting, and she wasn't interested in the usual classes for women.
After graduating, Lauraine found a job as a Certified Professional Accountant. She was the third woman to ever be a CPA for the state of Minnesota.
"Lauraine was a woman before her time," said her niece, Rita Bauer.
In 1958, Lauraine became the Executive Director of the St. Paul Council of Camp Fire. She was recruited in large part because of her accounting skills. "It was a job she loved," said Randels. Lauraine worked with 150 Camp Fire volunteers to make the St. Paul Council into one of the top councils in the country.
During the summers, Lauraine drove out to camp weekly. Friend and coworker Margaret Olson recalled, "At meals the campers greeted her with enthusiasm. Typically she was dressed in turquoise shorts, a crisp white blouse and matching turquoise jewelry - lots of jewelry. With a big smile on her face, she would greet the campers and tell them how happy she was to be at camp." Lauraine served as the St. Paul Council's Executive Director for 20 years.
Lauraine's energy and enthusiasm were admired by all who knew her. "She loved life," Bauer said. "I hope I enjoy life at her age as much as she did.
