August 8, 1925 - October 2, 2014
Kari Torjesen Malcolm. Kari was born in Shanxi, China in 1925, the daughter of Norwegian missionaries, Peter and Walborg Torjesen. She attended Chefoo School in Shandong and was interned in Shandong Compound during World War II. Having received a B. A. from Wheaton College and an M. A. in English literature from the University of Minnesota, she taught at Northwestern College in St. Paul and at the National Taiwan University in Taipei, Taiwan.
Kari married Bob, the love of her life, in 1954. They lived in Hinkley, Minnesota and Orangeburg, New Jersey, where Bob had pastorates. From 1959-1974, they were missionaries in the Philippines. There Kari helped found an employment agency and a free clinic for the poor, led Bible studies for political prisoners, and supported Bob’s work as trainer of lay leaders.
On their return to the US in 1974, Kari resumed teaching at Northwestern College. She then wrote three books published by InterVarsity Press: Women at the Crossroads, Building Your Family to Last and We Signed Away Our Lives (a biography of her missionary parents). Given her passion for encouraging women to use their gifts for the kingdom of God, she was often invited to speak at colleges, seminaries, and church gatherings of various sorts. She was active as a founding member of Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE), a national organization promoting a biblical view of gender equality.
Kari intensely loved her family and many others—especially her granddaughters, Elisa and Sara. Even with Alzheimer’s at St. Anthony Park Home, she loved and was loved, not only by the staff from many nations in God’s world, but especially by Bob, her lover, who spent many hours of each day with her.
Preceded in death by her brothers Edvard and Torje. Survived by husband of 60 years Bob, brother Hakon (Karen), daughters Kirsten (Paul) and Lois (David), grandchildren Elisa (Ricardo) and Sara (Jim), great-grandson Jacob, recent step-grandchildren Sarah and Molly, and many other dear extended family members.
Service Wednesday 11:00AM at Hope Presbyterian Church, 7132 Portland Ave. S. Richfield. Visitation one hour prior to service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Evergreen China Service, www.evergreenchina.net.