Ordean L. Torstenson, M.D.

Madison - Ordean L. Torstenson, died in the late hours of July 20th, 2010 at the age of 69. He suffered in dignity with the ravages of Lewy Body Dementia. Born on May 13, 1941 to Ruth and Olaf Torstenson, Ordean grew up in Dawson, Minnesota cherishing memories of his Norwegian Heritage and surrounded by farm fields, family, and friends. He graduated from Dawson High School and moved to the Twin Cities to attend Augsburg College where he was elected President of the student body. After receiving his undergraduate degree in Chemistry Ordean enrolled in medical school at the University of South Dakota and finished his medical education at the University of Minnesota. He completed his Pediatric Internship and Residency at the University of Minnesota.He worked at Pilot City Health Center, a Hennepin County community health clinic, where he devoted himself to providing primary healthcare to impoverished residents of North Minneapolis. He also worked on a research project with the Red Lake Indian Reservation. In 1971, he and his family moved to Madison, Wisconsin to serve as a pediatrician at the Dean Clinic. He served many, many families in the Madison area from 1971 to 2003, loving every day of it, and working until the last possible moment. Serving so many families in the community for so long, Ordean could hardly go anywhere without sharing a smile, story or greeting with former patients and families he encountered. He was an Adjunct Faculty Member in the Department of Family Medicine and the Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Wisconsin. He served as President for the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for 2 terms. He was named "Pediatrician of the Year" by the Wisconsin Chapter of the AAP. He also served on the National Board of American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), representing nine states and two Canadian provinces. AAP is the board-certifying organization of 60,000 physician members dedicated to work on behalf of children's health through the development of pediatric healthcare standards and continuing medical education Outside of the clinic, Ordean's great joy was spending time with family and friends. He began his family when he married Dorothea Hake in Alexandria, Minnesota in 1964. They were blessed with four children. The family shared many good times together traveling, watching sporting events, and just being together on Lake Monona. They especially enjoyed their time together in Northern Wisconsin at Indleggen, named after the home where his grandfather was born in Norway. These were treasured times for fun and rejuvenation. Ordean was known for his competitive coaching of his sons' basketball teams at Edgewood Campus School and for the great celebrations hosted annually on the Fourth of July. Ordean made strong friendships and a spiritual home at Advent Lutheran Church, where the members have embraced the family through these trying times.Ordean was a man of many interests and talents. He will be remembered as a supportive father, a caring friend, and a compassionate physician. He was a thoughtful kind, and deeply generous man with an easy chuckle. He touched the lives of many. He was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren, and his values will live on in them.Ordean is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Dorothea, and their four children, Tanya (Craig) LeMay; Jeffrey (Faye) and their two children, Nicholas and Alexandra; Peter; and Christopher; his brother, Bob (Sylvia), his nephew, Timothy (Kari) and their children, Emma and Sam; his niece, Teri (Paul Spilde) and their children Benjamin and Britta. He is further survived by his sisters-in-law, Maxine Nordin; Janis (Judd Nason); brother-in-law, Rod (Avis) Hake; and other nephews and nieces. Ordean was preceded in death by his parents. A celebration of the life of Ordean Torstenson will be held at Advent Lutheran Church, 7118 Old Sauk Road, Madison on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Jeff Wild officiating. Visitation will be held at Advent Lutheran Church (MCC) on Friday, July 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. and one hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in the name of Ordean Torstenson to the Alzheimer's Association, Hospice Care, or Advent Lutheran Church.The family would like to extend a special thank you to Ordean's physician, Dr. Randy Heidel; the caring staff at Clare Bridge, where Ordean has lived for the past two years; the caring staff from Hospice Care; and the many caring friends and colleagues who have supported Ordean and his family through his seven-year journey with Lewy Body Dementia. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in the name of Ordean Torstenson to the Alzheimer's Association, Hospice Care, or Advent Lutheran Church. Visitation: Visitation will be held at Advent Lutheran Church (MCC) on Friday, July 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. and one hour before the service Service: A celebration of the life of Ordean Torstenson will be held at Advent Lutheran Church, 7118 Old Sauk Road, Madison on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Jeff Wild officiating