Visitation: Family will greet visitors at First Baptist Church in Canton one hour prior to the service.

Service: A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, October 18, 2026 at Grace Baptist Church in Mitchell, SD.

Service: Funeral services will begin at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at First Baptist Church in Canton, SD with Pastor Carroll Torberson officiating.  Burial and lunch will follow the service at Grand Valley Lutheran Church, Canton, SD.

       Bernice Torberson, 102, of Mitchell, SD, formerly of Canton, SD, died Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at North Central Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

          Bernice Elaine Chaon was born December 5, 1923, to August and Tina (Bouchie) Chaon in Canton, SD.  She graduated from Canton High School in 1941 and started working for the Farmer’s Creamery and Lockers.

          On March 15, 1942, she married Clifford Torberson at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.  They had four children: Leonard, Suzanne, Carroll, and Brian.

          Clifford and Bernice farmed near Canton their entire married life.  Upon retirement, they enjoyed traveling to all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico.  In 2017, Bernice had the privilege of traveling to Israel and Petra with some of her family members.

          Bernice was known for being a great cook, and she mastered many Norwegian dishes.  Over the years, she made hundreds of quilts and knitted many baby sweaters which were donated to missions.

          In January of 1973, Bernice trusted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior.  She moved to Mitchell, SD in September 2016 and became an active member of Grace Baptist Church.

          For the last year and a half, Bernice had a goal to ride in the 2026 Canton Homecoming parade—her 85th reunion.  That goal was recently accomplished and indeed was one of the highlights of her life.

          Bernice is survived by her son Carroll and his wife Joyce of Mitchell; 16 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; daughters-in-law Alberta Torberson (Luis Estrada) of Texas, and Jeanne (Richard) Stonefield of Sioux Falls; along with many nieces and nephews.

          She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Clifford; sons Leonard and Brian; daughter Suzanne and her husband Larry King; brothers Fenton, Glenn, and Leslie (Hap) Chaon; twin sister Eunice Torberson; and great-grandson Lane Torberson.

A Memorial Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, October 18, 2026 at Grace Baptist Church in Mitchell, SD.  Funeral services will begin at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at First Baptist Church in Canton, SD with Pastor Carroll Torberson officiating.  Burial and lunch will follow the service at Grand Valley Lutheran Church, Canton, SD.  Family will greet visitors at First Baptist Church in Canton one hour prior to the service.