Helen Jane Torrance, 87, of Gladstone, Illinois, passed away at 5:34 a.m. Friday October 11, 2019 at the Klein Center in West Burlington, Iowa. She was born August 18, 1932 in Colusa, Illinois, the daughter of Frank and Myrtle Briscoe Russell. On March 21, 1953, she married John Franklin “Frank” Torrance. He preceded her in death on August 6, 2006.
Mrs. Torrance lived in the Gladstone area since 1955. She was a homemaker, and assisted her husband in the operation of the family farm. Besides raising a family, she was the bookkeeper for the farm operations and the local drainage district. For many years, she designed and sewed clothing for the entire family. She raised vegetables in the family garden and enjoyed cooking, ceramics and weaving. She attended the Gladstone United Methodist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Jane Torrance of Normal, IL, three sons, Michael (Frances) Torrance of Chillicothe, MO, Russell (Connie Sue) Torrance of Gladstone, IL, Mark (Leanne) Torrance of Biggsville, IL, one daughter in law, Angie Torrance of Avon, IL, eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren, three sisters, Mildred Jones and Louise Link, both of LaHarpe, IL, Donna Bennett of Sperry, IA, and one brother, Robert Russell of LaHarpe, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son, Ervin Torrance and two brothers, Albert Lea “Pee Wee” Russell and Delmar Russell.
Visitation for Mrs. Torrance will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. The funeral will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday October 17, 2019 at the funeral home, with Rev. Howard Ross officiating. Burial will follow in the Raritan Cemetery. Memorials have been established for the Gladstone United Methodist Church and Buchanan Center for the Arts in Monmouth, IL. Please visit Helen’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to sign the guestbook and leave a condolence.
