Bivien Torres

BIVIEN TORRES, 81 of Ogallala, passed away Sunday, August 6, 2017 at Sutherland Care Center.

Bivien was born December 2, 1935 at Crook, Colorado to Jess and Estefana (Barrioz) Torres. At a young age, Bivien's father was injured in a car accident, which necessitated his early entry into the workforce to help provide for his siblings.

Bivien worked in agriculture for several years, eventually landing him in Ogallala. Following a Mass at St. Luke's, Bivien made the acquaintance of his future wife, Elsie Moves Camp. The two were later married at St. Luke's, and made their home south of Ogallala. Bivien worked on the Union Pacific Railroad as a section man for many years, retiring in 1997.

Bivien was a hard worker his entire life. He served as a fatherly figure to his siblings from a very young age. This "provider" mentality carried over into adulthood. When Bivien's workday on the railroad was done, he would spend hours working in his garden. Effort and sweat was a way of life for Bivien, it was his way of leading by example. In his world, anything worth having, was earned; and a strong work ethic was an essential part of raising and providing for a family. Bivien carried an old oversized metal lunchbox with him throughout his 43 years on the railroad. At the end of the day, he'd set his dusty and worn lunchbox aside, and his children would play with it, sometimes eating what was left of that day's lunch. Today, that old metal lunchbox serves as a reminder to his family of his toughness, determination, humility and selfless devotion to their needs.

Bivien was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie; son, Mario Torres; infant son, Gerald Torres; his parents; 3 brothers, Frank, Narceciso, & Mike Torres; and sister, Caroline West.

Survivors include his children, Elizabeth Torres of Ogallala, Bernard L. (Barbara) Torres of Ogallala, Lorenzo Torres of Ogallala, Orlando J. Torres of Lincoln, Jessica B. Adams of Ogallala, Vivien G. Torres of Ogallala; 5 grandchildren, Ashley Torres, Brandon Torres, Katherine Torres, Jessie James Adams, & Kyra Adams; 2 great grandchildren, Isabel Rodriguez, Onorio Rivas-Torres; Siblings, Angie (Ben) Torres, Tony Torres, Delores (Pete) Torres, Lupe "Mary" (Don) Holden, Marcia (John) Jimenez, Rosie (Jim) Meeker, Molly Cross, Joe (Sandy) Torres, Alice (Steve) Stites; along with many nieces nephews and cousins.

Memorials are suggested to St. Luke's Catholic Church in Bivien's memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 10am at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala. Burial will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, from 1pm until 5pm at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala. A Rosary will be recited on Wednesday at 7pm at St. Luke's Catholic Church.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.