Kenneth Torgrimson
courtesy photo
Kenneth Torgrimson
ST. IGNATIUS — Kenneth Melvin “Kenny” Torgrimson, age 97, of St. Ignatius, passed away at his home on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, with his daughter, Melvina and his brother, Darrel “Torgy,” by his side. Ken was born on Oct. 18, 1923, to Gustave Adolph and Mabel Olson Torgrimson at their home in Dooley, MT. The family moved to Noxon, around 1933. Ken played in the high school band and on the Noxon Red Devils basketball team. He graduated in 1941.
Ken joined the CCC and the U.S. Navy in 1943, being trained at Farragott, Idaho. He was on a ship to Japan when WWII ended. After sailing around the Pacific for several weeks, he was stationed in Guam for a year. After being honorably discharged on April 3, 1946, with a rank of RM3C, he returned to Montana.
On Easter Sunday, March 28, 1948, he married the love of his life, Rosalia Marie (Rosie) McLinden, in Noxon. They had three children, Melvina, Gary, and Kevin. Kenny worked at various Sanders County sawmills before retiring in 1985. They lived in Thompson Falls for 60 years and moved to St. Ignatius in 2009 to be near their daughter. After the passing of Rosie in 2017, he enjoyed doing his own things like watching the Minnesota Vikings and betting against Dede’s Green Bay Packers, watching the Seattle Mariners, doing word searches, and he loved to look at the beautiful Mission Range.
Ken is survived by his daughter, Melvina (Denny) Krantz; his sons, Gary (Bunny) and Kevin Torgrimson; his grandsons, Timothy (Dede) Krantz and Justin (Christy) Krantz; and his granddaughters, Lelia and Josie Rosalia; his brother, Darrel (Penny); his brothers-in-law, Jim McLinden and Barney (Jo) McLinden; his sisters-in-law, Shirley McLinden and Carol McLinden, and numerous nephews and nieces and their families.
Cremation has taken place and a service and celebration of his life with military honors will take place on Thursday, July 8, at 11 a.m. at the White Pine Cemetery with a reception following at the White Pine Grange Hall.
Messages of condolence may be shared with the family online at: www.shriderthompson.com. Arrangements are under the care of Shrider-Thompson Funeral Home.
