Jimmie Lee Torvinen

Jimmie Lee Torvinen, age 81, of Rutherfordton, North Carolina, passed away on Thursday, February 29, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer.  Jimmie, known as Shorty because of his stature, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 1, 1942 but grew up in the small town of Crosby.

Jimmie is survived by his wife, Wrenn Crain Torvinen, and three adult children, Paula (Marty), Jim (Amy), and Tim (Andeena), his beloved grandchildren, Whittney McSwain, Hunter McSwain (Kassandra), Gage McSwain, Leeanna Torvinen Owens (Caleb), John Torvinen (Olivia), Ava  Grace Torvinen, Anna  Torvinen, Allison Torvinen, and his great grandson, Channing Lee Godfrey. 

Growing up in Crosby, Jimmie spent many of his early summers on the farm with his uncle, Kasper Jurva.  It was during this time that Jimmie developed a strong work ethic, learned the importance of keeping one’s word, a desire for to do what was right, and a love for his country. 

In 1960, at seventeen years of age, Jimmie joined the United States Navy and served on the USS Sturdy.  He enjoyed sailing the Mediterranean Sea, traveling the world as a midshipman looking for adventure. 

It was on a weekend trip to Rutherfordton with a shipmate, Mayford Atchley, that he met, and eventually married, Celia Wrenn Crain, his wife of sixty years.  Mrs. Ruth Atchley, Mayford’s mother, became his southern mother and cared for him as if he was her own. After marrying Wrenn, he then lived in the Shingle Hollow Community for the remainder of his life, but he always called Minnesota his home.

Jimmie always put his family before himself, believed that men should work hard then play, and he was always willing to welcome new folks to the community by paying them a quick visit.  He was an avid reader and history buff and could be found, nightly, lying in his bed reading by the light of his bedside lamp.

A memorial service to honor his life will be held at Shingle Hollow Congregational Holiness Church, 2466 Cove Rd, Rutherfordton, North Carolina on Sunday, March 3 , 2024.  The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 4:45 in the afternoon with the memorial service at 5:00 pm at the church. 

McMahan’s Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family during the passing of Shorty.

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