He was born in Laurium on March 18, 1937, son of Walter and Aili (Harju) Torola and graduated from Calumet High School in 1953. He received a mechanical engineering degree from Michigan Tech in 1958.
Pete was united in marriage to Ellen Kangas on December 21, 1957.
The couple lived in Seattle, Wash., where he was employed with Boeing Aircraft, then they moved to Minneapolis where he worked for Honeywell for eight years. They moved to Calumet where he was a minister for the First Apostolic Lutheran Churches of the area for 32 years.
Preceding him in death were his parents; infant, son, Daniel; and two grandsons, Sam Anderson and Duane Helminen.
Surviving are his wife, Ellen; children, Walter (Lynn) of Calumet, Carrie (Ray) Hyrkas of Big Traverse, Margaret (Brian) Helminen of Calumet, Reino of Moncks Corner, S.C., Douglas (Cynthia) of Lansing, Leah Schwer of Kenosha, Wis., David (Ann) of Calumet, Carl (Beth) of Calumet; 65 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Leo (Esther), Mary (Bill) Tolkkinen, Bob (Lorraine), Eva Torola, Ellen (Chester) Ylitalo, Helen (Ed) Heinonen, Allan (Maria), Judy (Jack) Haataja, Paul; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins; and a host of Christian friends.
The funeral service for Peter Torola will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Calumet with Pastor Richard Eskola officiating.
Burial will be in the Lake View Cemetery in Calumet.
Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the church and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.
The Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family.
The Twenty-Third Psalm
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me: Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil: my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
