Gale Tornell went home to her Savior on February 12, 2024 after an extended illness. Terms like devoted servant, lover of children, adventurer, hostess and homemaker all describe how she blessed her family and anyone fortunate enough to fall within her sphere of influence. However, these attributes were merely the response to the identity she possessed as a follower of Jesus Christ. 

   She was preceded in death by her father Donald Vander Schuur, mother Martha Postma (Vander Schuur) and sister Kathy Wilson. 

   Gale attended elementary schools in Ripon before graduating from Ripon High School in 1971.  She married Jim Tornell on June 16, 1973 as they began their journey of fifty years together. During that time she worked as a medical lab assistant for a short time and then later spent nearly twelve years as a rural mail carrier. Even during those years that she worked outside the home, she remained a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and faithful member and volunteer in the churches she and Jim attended.

   Gale is survived by her husband Jim, daughters; Sarah (John) Ranck, Angelyn Tornell, Susan (Sam) Galvan, Demitress Martin, and Jessica Hollandsworth, her son, Michael Tornell, nine incredible grandchildren, brothers; Paul (Gerti) Vander Schuur, Tom (Jean) Vander Schuur, Jon (Cindy) Vander Schuur, and sister Connie (Jim) Gilliland.

   A private graveside service will be held at Ripon Cemetery on Saturday, March 2, at 9:00 a.m. followed by an 11:00 a.m. memorial service at Calvary Chapel Modesto, at 4300 American Avenue. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made to Ripon Interfaith Ministries with whom she served many years.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin

Saturday, February 17, 2024