Mavis Iola Torvinen

On Sunday, September 3, 2017, Mavis Iola Torvinen was called to her eternal home while at CHI St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids, MN, with family at her side. Mavis was born November 9, 1923 to Esther (Faaberg) and Berger Mickelson in Spruce Grove Township, Minnesota. The eldest daughter of ten children she enjoyed being part of a large, close family. Mavis was raised in the Lutheran faith, confirmed and married at Bethany Lutheran Church in Spruce Grove Township. She graduated from Frazee High School. In the 1940s Mavis lived at El Monte in the Bay Area of California. She worked, saw the sights, traveled and enjoyed friendships that lasted through the years. Upon her return to Minnesota, Mavis operated a dress shop in Menahga. On July 2, 1955 Mavis was united in marriage to Harold Leonard Torvinen. Three children were born to this union - Randy, Judy and Alan. In the early years of their marriage they lived in Minneapolis, Cloquet and Park Rapids, Minnesota, moving to Menahga in 1966 with their young family. Mavis’s first priority was always her family. She loved children. After raising her children she was blessed to participate in the lives and activities of her grandchildren, often running them to summer and after school activities. Mavis was a wonderful cook, was always well dressed and could clean almost anything. She loved to bake, pick wild blueberries and each summer she grew many planters of marvelous colorful flowers. She enjoyed giving gifts and her favorite holiday was Christmas. Mavis lived her faith through her actions, often helping elderly neighbors and participating in church activities. Mavis was a fifty year member of First English Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Menahga where she shared her gifts by organizing church meals and events, participating in Dorcas circle and quilting. The church was an integral part of her life and she rarely missed a Sunday service when she was healthy enough to attend. Hers was a life well lived. Mavis was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her parents, Esther and Berger Mickelson; brothers Byrdell, Melford, Russell, Lowell, Willard, Marvin, Lloyd, Lawrence (in infancy) and sister Elaine Anderson; sisters-in-law Tekla (Byrdell) and Joan (Russell), brother-in-law Wayne Maki, sisters-in-law Hilda Salminen and Lillian Johnson and other dearly loved family and friends. Mavis is survived by her children: Randall (Joy) Torvinen of Menahga, Judith (Ernest) Adamec of Fergus Falls, Alan (Beverley) Torvinen of Menahga; grandchildren Tara (Jake) Lufsky, Cary Torvinen (Melanie Johnsen), Cassie Torvinen (Chad Smith), Christopher Torvinen, Nathan Torvinen, granddaughter of the heart Diane (Darren) Kraabel; and great grandchildren Zoey, Kaycee and Alana Lufsky and Taylor, Allison and Kaitlin Kraabel; her dear sister Margaret (Peggy) Maki and many nieces, nephews and extended family. Special thanks to the team at CHI St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids for their gentle and compassionate care and to the staff of Greenwood Connections in Menahga for their kindness and care over the past two and a half years. In lieu of memorials please make a gift to your favorite charity. Memorial Services will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, MN. Inurnment will be at the Menahga City Cemetery.