Neil E. Torssell

Neil Einar Torssell was born in Waupaca, WI on April 19, 1920, the son of Einar and Lucy (Andress) Torssell. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1940 and was an aerial photographer/gunner in the 99th bomb group. Neil served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII. During that time he was shot down over Sicily and taken as a Prisoner of War. Neil lived as an escapee in enemy territory in Italy for about 9 months and was then discharged in 1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart medal. After Neil came back from the war, he married Elfrieda Nickel on December 28, 1946 in Milwaukee, WI. They moved to Sleepy Eye in 1956 and opened Tre-Mar Photography where they worked together for many years. Neil enjoyed photography, model railroads, fishing and bowling. He was a member of the Sleepy Eye Honor Guard, VFW Post #800, American Legion #7, DAV, American Ex POW, Purple Heart Association and St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye. Neil is survived by his children - Steve (Carol) of Ann Arbor, MI, Marlene Ann of Windom, Teresa of Attleboro, MA, and Carol of Queen Creek, AZ; two grandchildren - Kathryn and Michael. He was preceded in death by his wife and parents. Visitation 1 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel 301 - 3rd Ave. S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Visitation 2 7:30 am - 10:00 am Thursday, October 20, 2016 Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel 301 - 3rd Ave. S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Service Information 10:30 am Thursday, October 20, 2016 St. Mary's Catholic Church-Sleepy Eye 636 1st Ave. North Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Interment Information St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery 720 3rd Ave. N.E. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085