Les was born June 28, 1931 in Menahga, to Elmer and Hilda (Saima) Torkkola. He lived most of this life in the Bovey area and was a graduate of Greenway High School, Coleraine. He joined the Army and served during the Korean Conflict. He married Sonja Ingelbret in 1965 and began working for US Steel as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic. After retiring, he spent time working for the Iron Range township. 

 

His passions were watching his boys play sports, working on car motors and tinkering with small engines and lawn mowers. Dad was a simple man who always saw the positive side of things. He enjoyed his daily walks and would stop to talk, tell jokes and share stories with anyone he met along the way and always waved at those who would pass by. 

 

He is survived by his wife, Sonja; his four sons, Rodger, St. Peter, Rick, Becker, Russell, St. Clair, and Randy, Becker; two sisters, Virginia Smith, Babbitt, and Delores Murphy, Grand Rapids; ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. 

 

Preceding him in death were, his son Ryan, Menahga, his parents, four brothers and a sister.

 

The family has decided there will not be a service at this time. A celebration of life ceremony will be held, Sat., June 29, 2019 in the Bovey area.