Torhild Sofie Espeland was born November 17th 1928, in Borhaug.  She was the oldest child of Helga and Rangvald Tønnessen at Borhaug, in what was then Lista County in Norway.  She had two brothers, Erling Birger (1932-1998) and Tonnes Emanuel (1937-2002).

She attended Borhaug Elementary school from 1936 to 1943.  School was severely impacted by the events during WWII. The family was evacuated from Borhaug, and they lived at Stave.  School was held in the living room of a family that had enough space, as the school itself had been commandeered. After elementary school she attended trade school in Farsund.  The events during the war left deep scars, and she often talked about the fear, the hunger, and horrible events that she witnessed as a young girl.

After she was done in school, she worked first in a grocery store owned by Gerda Torkildsen.  Later she worked in Farsund at what was then Christian Olsen's Bakery. The store is still in existence, now known as Demsi.  During this time she completed her mandatory practical experience and was able to take out papers qualifying her as a business owner.  She was at Christian Olsen's Bakery until she moved to Brooklyn in 1952.

In Brooklyn she met Martin Espeland from Kvinesdal in Norway at a language class.  They got married on November 17th 1956, her 28th birthday in the old church building on 66th.  They traveled to Norway as a married couple first time in late 1958.  They rented an apartment in Liknes, Kvinesdal.

Torhild and Martin did not have any children, and their nieces and nephews became in many ways their children.  They also supported children through the mission work as part of their service to God. Torhild and Martin took great interest in all their nieces and nephews, and were very proud of them all.

In 1983 Martin died in a work related accident.  He was put to rest in Vanse, Norway. Torhild returned to Brooklyn, and continued to work and live in their house on 78th street.  She never married again.

During her working life in Brooklyn, Torhild had several jobs cleaning houses, of which her many years with Mrs. Germack must be mentioned.  She worked in factories and she worked in stores. In 1977, she completed Nurses Aid Training. After Martin passed away, she worked many years for the retailer A&S.

Torhild was always very active in the First Free Evangelical Church on 65th Street.  She was in the youth group Eveneser, she sang in Strengebåndet and she was part of most of the events there.

After she retired, she was asked by the pastor to volunteer in the church.  She took a few days to decide, before confirming. For over 20 years, up until September this year, she has been serving her Lord with her time and energy.

Some years after Martin passed away, she sold the house on 78th Street and moved to an apartment on 88th Street.  She and Martin also had a house in Lyngdal, Norway that she sold after some years.  She purchased a new home in her hometown Borhaug where she has been spending every summer.

Since her retirement, Torhild has been visiting Norway almost every summer.  Even this past summer she travelled alone to Norway at the age of 89. She spent the summer at Borhaug, with trips to friends and family in the area.  It was important to her to keep contact with the entire family, both her own family and also that of Martin.

Torhild leaves 5 nephews and 10 great-nieces and -nephews in addition to extended family and in-laws.  She will be put to rest next to Martin in Vanse, Norway.