Torborg Petra Eriksen

Torborg was born on the island of Fedje in Norway to Marie and Richard Uthaug. She married the love of her life, Sigmund Eriksen, at Fedje Kirke on New Year’s Eve 1955. Ten years later, and with four young children in tow, Torborg and Sigmund immigrated across the Atlantic to Seattle. Soon after settling in Ballard they welcomed their fifth child, and the fourth girl, to the family.

Torborg and Sigmund became American citizens in 1976. Torborg was Norwegian by the grace of God, but an American by choice. She remained a proud Norwegian-American woman for her entire life.

All who met her loved her. Torborg never met a stranger: her radiant smile welcomed family and friends alike into her home and into her heart. She loved, among many other things, holidays, parties, music, cruises, dancing, and of course, babies. Her parties were magnificent, her desserts divine, and her laughs infectious. She shone so very brightly.

Torborg will also be remembered for her elegance and beauty. She had class. Blessed with a tremendous sense of style, she never met a sparkle, shimmer, or spangle that she didn’t get on with—or look fabulous in. She always sewed the newest fashions for her four girls as they grew up and maintained a prodigious output of Norsk knitwear—sweaters, vests, booties, mittens, and hats—well into her later years. Her garden always seemed to be in bloom, and her kitchen was always bustling. She especially loved to cook and bake the traditional Norwegian cuisine of her homeland. No matter the occasion, the size of the table, or the time of day, Torborg’s meals filled bellies and hearts alike.

Her laugh, twinkling eyes, wit, and wisdom will be missed. She embodied hard work and raised her family to help those in need and to love and respect others. In her own special way Torborg was the architect of her and Sigmund’s American dream. She loved—and was loved by—her dear husband and soulmate, Sigmund. Across two continents, from Fedje to Ballard, over six decades of marriage, and through seven decades of friendship, she was his north star.

Torborg fought her courageous battle against multiple myeloma for 7 ½ years with strength and grace. On September 10 she passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 67 years, Sigmund; their five children; 17 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a large extended family, both here in America and in Norway.

Children

Raymond Eriksen (JoAnne); Evy Danielsen; Linda Ferkingstad (Norman); Sylvi Schilbach (Ivo); and Elizabeth Brekke (Ove).

Grandchildren:

Marissa Stratton (Shaun); Bjørn Eriksen; Heidi Yocum (Alex); Silja Torres (Phillip); Leif Danielsen (Christine); Jakob Ferkingstad; Jordan Ferkingstad (Rachel); Maria Bickel (Ethan); Jesse Ferkingstad; Jonas Ferkingstad; Aleksander Schilbach (Abby); Ethan Schilbach; Andreas Schilbach (Sydne); Isabelle Schilbach; Kasandra Brekke; Evan Brekke; and Sven Brekke.

Great-Grandchildren:

Lilja, Josiah, Annabel, and Henry Stratton; Soren and Jensine Yocum; Amelia Ferkingstad; Eberhardt and Felix Schilbach; and Atlis Torres.

Siblings in Norway:

Sisters Reidun Moe (Bjørn) and Margunn Skjerven (Johannes); and brother Rune Uthaug (Joruun).

Torborg was preceded in death by her mother and father, her sisters Borghild Husa and Harriet Kleppe, and her son-in-law Petter Danielsen.

A private memorial service will be held for family. The service will be live-streamed for Torborg’s friends and family in the United States and Norway.

Memorial Service for Torborg Petra Eriksen

Saturday, October 1, 2022

12:00 PST / 21:00 CEST

Remembrances may be made to the Ballard Food Bank, the Ballard First Lutheran Church, or your favorite charity.