Esther E. Torola

Esther Elizabeth (Maki) Torola was born June 19, 1932 to Finnish-American immigrants and grew up in Astoria, Oregon. She married Leo Torola of Calumet, MI on January 16, 1954 and they moved to Minneapolis, MN shortly after. They raised their seven children in Minneapolis while Esther stayed home as a homemaker. Later she worked as a keyliner at Outdoor News and then helped Leo with his part-time typesetting business working out of their basement. 

She was surrounded by family when she passed away in her apartment in Buffalo, MN on April 24, 2024. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by her six surviving children, their spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchild, as well as many, many dear friends. Esther was a life-long member of the First Apostolic Lutheran Church. She was well known to engage anyone and everyone in conversation, you could not escape her! Esther was also known for her fastidiously clean house and store of already made coffee cake and coffee, just ready for drop in company who she always welcomed in. 

Esther was preceded in death by her parents John and Hilma (née Oinonen), her brothers Donald and Dave, her husband Leo, daughter Diane, and daughters-in-law Joan Torola and Tracey Torola. Survived by Her children: Denise (Steve) Johnson, Larry (Heidi), John, Steve (Mary), Barb (Tim) Korkko and Cathy (Steve) Tarnowski; 25 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, siblings, twin sister Edna, sisters Judy and Irene and her brothers Al and Bill. 

Esther's visitation will be at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church, 2300 Cox Trail, Long Lake, MN 55364 on Monday 5 PM - 8 PM, with the funeral service on Tuesday at 11, with a visitation one hour prior. All are welcome. Interment will be later at Fort Snelling Cemetery.