Melvin Fred Torma, 77, of Staples, formerly of Menahga, died Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 at Lakewood Health System Care Center in Staples.
He was born to Samuel and Hilma (Hyrkas) Torma Sept. 23, 1931 in Green Valley Township, Becker County. He completed eight years of schooling.
He farmed at the family home and served on the township board. He was manager of the Co-op Service Station in Menahga and worked for Renneberg Hardwoods for more than 20 years. He also managed the Menahga Liquor Store for a short time.
He married Frances J. Schmidt Etter in 1973. They lived in Menahga until retirement in 1996. They sold their home in 2005 and moved to an apartment in Sebeka.
He was a member of First English Lutheran Church in Menahga. He belonged to the Menahga Gateway Lions Club and the Eagles Club in Park Rapids for many years. He served on the Green Valley Cemetery board.
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He is survived by his wife, Frances, of Sebeka; stepdaughter, Linda (Bill) Laurich, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two stepsons: Gerald (Linda) Etter, of Eveleth, and Mickey (Candy) Osmond, of Washington; three sisters: Hazel Eskola, of Ponsford, Hilma (Ruben) Tretbar of Ponsford, and Leona (Bert) DeMaris of Minneapolis; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by three brothers: Elmer, Uno and Bill; sister, Sylvia Nevala; and grandson, Jeff Laurich.
Funeral service: 11 a.m. today (Wednesday), Nov. 19 at First English Lutheran Church in Menahga with Rev. Steven A. Bruer officiating. Barbara Ahl is the organist and Rev. Bruer will be the soloist, singing "The Lord's Prayer." Congregational hymns will be "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," "One Day at a Time" and "On Eagles Wings."
Honorary casket bearers: Menahga Gateway Lions.
Casket bearers: Mickey Etter, Jeff Tretbar, Bo Brown, Ronnie, Jordan and Randy Torma, Darrell DeMaris, Mickey Osmond and Virgil Eskola.
Interment: Green Valley Cemetery.
