Mark Clarence Torkelson

Mark (Tork) Torkelson shared 72 years of joy and laughter with those around him. He was born on December 31, 1953 (a day he liked to point out everyone celebrates!) in Lindsay, California, and passed away peacefully on October 18, 2026, in Logan, Utah.

The youngest of four children, Tork spent many summer days fishing with his Grandpa Bud. He grew up in Moses Lake, Washington, where he excelled in school sports like football and track and field—though he was perhaps best known for being a bit of a class clown.

Always one to care for others, Tork served in the Colorado-New Mexico mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he treasured the time he spent serving the community.

Tork married his college sweetheart, Raynae Cornwall, on February 19, 1976, in the Logan, Utah Temple, where they were sealed for time and all eternity. Throughout their lives, they remained faithful servants of the Lord, a devotion that extended to include their cherished time serving together in the Portland, Oregon Temple.

Tork graduated from Utah State University in June 1984. He loved being an Aggie and ensured he passed that love on to his children, three of whom would go on to graduate from USU themselves.

Tork was an avid sports fan and could always be found wearing Aggie Blue, a Utah Jazz shirt, or cheering on the Minnesota Vikings. His love of the Jazz ran deep, including a time when he mowed “JAZZ” into the family’s front yard.

Tork was always a hard worker and proudly opened one of the nation’s first Sears Hometown Dealer stores in Logan, Utah. While he was successful in growing the business and expanding into other markets, including Evanston, Wyoming, he was especially proud of the relationships he built with his employees and the community.

Tork loved being with the youth in his community and moved into teaching after his children had grown. He held teaching positions at North Lake School, in Silver Lake, Oregon (2004 – 2006); the Clatskanie School District in Oregon (2006 – 2011); and at Uintah High School in Vernal, UT (2012 – 2013). As was standard for Tork, he could always be found cracking jokes with his students, cheering them on in after-school sports, or just ensuring they all felt loved and welcome.

Tork is survived by his devoted wife, Raynae Torkelson; son, Jeremy Torkelson (lifelong friend Julie Bezold); daughter, Kelline Fender (husband Aaron and sons Kaden and Ethan); son, Benjamin Torkelson (wife Ashley and children Corban, Leela, and Evonnie); sister, Linda Torkelson Jones (husband Tim); and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vesper and Helen (Troxel) Torkelson; brother, James (Jim) Moore; sister, Karen (Moore) Parkin; and his beloved son, Jonathan Torkelson. While his family here on earth misses Tork dearly, there is immense peace in imagining the joyous heavenly reunion as Tork embraces Jon once again.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, October 26, at 1:00 PM at the Logan City Cemetery. Following the graveside service, an open house will be held from 2:30 to 3:30 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 825 North 200 West in Logan, where family and friends are invited to gather, share stories, and celebrate Tork's life and memory.