Marvin Torkkola
1936 – 2019
Marvin L. Torkkola of Maple Grove, Minnesota was born January 7, 1936, in Menahga. He passed away peacefully on April 27, 2019 in Hospice care.
Marvin was preceded in death by an infant brother, and brother Douglas; parents, Shirley (Olson) and Arthur Torkkola, and brother-in-law Ruben Kyro.
He is survived by wife Doris; son, Brian (Jill Stanton); granddaughter Sylvia; sisters: Sharon (Harry) Marciniak, and Glennis Hagan; brothers: Jerry (Eunice) and Stan (Kathy) Torkkola; sisters-in-law: Jan Putnam, Jeanette (Harry) Eklund, and Pat Kyro; brother-in-law, Jim (Jeanette) Kyro, and 20 nieces and nephews.
Marv grew up in the Menahga area with a short stint on the Iron Range before returning to and graduating from Menahga High School in 1954, where he quarterbacked their football team.
Marv proudly served in the US Army from 1956-58, stationed at the Nike missile site in Nyack, New York, that protected New York City, and at an anti-aircraft site in Okinawa, Japan. A couple favorite memories from this time include attending a New York Giants game at the Polo Grounds during baseball’s heyday, as well as the time his brother Jerry surprised him with an unannounced visit when Jerry’s spy plane landed for maintenance and refueling in Okinawa. Jerry, “Oh, by the way, I’m at your airfield now.” One memory he didn’t cherish was surviving a typhoon while on a troopship during his tour! Understandably, he never liked boats!
In 1960, he met Doris Kyro at a University of Minnesota football game in Madison, Wisconsin. He and his brother Jerry drove Doris and two of her friends back to Minneapolis after the game. Marv and Doris married in 1961 and welcomed son Brian in 1966. The Torkkola family lived at their home on 32nd Avenue in Plymouth for over 20 years before retiring to Maple Grove in the late 90s. Marv worked as an accountant for various businesses before spending the final 19 years of his career at Hennepin County. He was a devoted member of his Christian faith, always kept in touch with his extended family and was extremely proud of his Finnish and Norwegian heritage. Marvin and Doris enjoyed running an Amway side business in the 70s and he remained interested in nutritional supplements. Pastimes included watching his son’s various athletic games, agonizing over Minnesota sports, shopping for cars, seeking a good piece of pie, and visiting with friends and family.
Funeral services were on May 8, 2018 in White Bear Lake with interment May 9 at Fort Snelling. In lieu of flowers memorials are appreciated.