James Frank Torkelson was born on May 8,1934 in Fullerton, California to his parents Mabel and Selmer Torkelson. He was the third child, his two older brothers were Floyd and Gerald. Jim had the wonderful experience of spending much time with his maternal grandparents at a very young age, due to his Mom working. Grandma and Grandpa Pacholke were delightful and rewarding times were spent together. Grandpa and Grandma were such fine examples of serving the Lord. Jim would help Grandpa do many tasks to care for the church and helped his Grandma prepare meals for the missions.
Throughout school he enjoyed playing sports and bike riding. After living in Chico, his family moved to Modesto in 1949. He attended Modesto High School and graduated in 1952. His career began immediately following high school working for Burroughs Corporation.
Jim met Maryn Wolff through church friends and they attended many church functions together. In 1957, they were married at the Evangelical Free Church in Turlock. Jim loved Maryn dearly and they built a wonderful life together serving the Lord and raising their family. They welcomed their first daughter, Charlyn Denise in 1961. They welcomed their second daughter, DeeAnn Shae in 1964. Jim spent his life loving and caring for his family, taking them on family vacations and visiting cousins. He loved Maryn’s gourmet cooking with a passion! He had a phenomenal interest for cars and keeping them in impeccable condition. He used his car talents to care for his family as well.
Jim and Maryn both had a servant’s heart and enjoyed serving in their church together. Some of the roles Jim participated in were Sunday School Superintendent, audio visual technician, and deacon. They were also members of the mission team which included going on missions and seeking out sponsors for that outreach.
During Jim’s career he was highly regarded as a problem solver and expert in his field. He worked for the Unisys Corporation and then finished with Symco in 2017. His work included numerous types of machines and mainframe computers located in banks, schools, and corporations, and also including the IRS.
On June 28, 2025, Jim passed away peacefully to be with His Lord Jesus eternally. His loving family and all those who knew him, will remember him as a loving servant of God who cared deeply for his family and friends. He was a man of integrity, trustworthiness, and dependability. He will dearly be missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Selmer and Mabel Torkelson, brothers Floyd and Gerald Torkelson, and his wife Maryn Torkelson.
He is survived by his daughters, Charlyn Torkelson-Selee, DeeAnn Wilkey (Don), grandchildren Jillian Bruton (Brad), Michael Wilkey, and great granddaughter Grace Bruton, who will be born in August. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces.
A Graveside Service will be held on:
Tuesday, July 8th at 10:30 AM
Lakewood Memorial Park
900 Santa Fe Ave., Hughson, CA
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to:
West Side Ministries or Monte Vista Chapel of Turlock
A Reflection by Jill Bruton
James Frank Torkelson was born on May 8, 1934 in Fullerton, California to Mabel and Selmer Torkelson. Growing up, he loved to play football, baseball, and basketball, and ride his bicycle everywhere. His family moved from Fullerton to Chico and later on to Modesto where Jim graduated from Modesto High in 1952. After graduating, he began working for the Burroughs Corporation working on the adding machines in banks and businesses. For the next few years, he enjoyed rooming with Marvin and Vernon Johnson while he continued to work.
Then, his whole life changed when he met the love of his life, Maryn Wolff, through mutual friends. He remembers fondly how they went to church activities for most of their dates. In 1957 Maryn and Jim got married, driving away in their tan hardtop ‘57 Chevy. Together, they built 3 custom houses and a life full of love, family trips, and enjoying lots of good food Maryn whipped up in the kitchen. Their first daughter, Charlyn, was born in 1961 and they welcomed their next daughter, DeeAnn, in 1964. Jim enjoyed being involved in various aspects at Bethel Temple and the Evangelical Free Church, like working the light and sound booth and having church-wide potlucks. He loved taking his family on trips in the motorhome, especially to Oregon, Disneyland, Oklahoma, the zoo, and the coast.
Throughout his career, Jim worked to fix and maintain large mainframe computer systems. He retired from Unisys in 1988 and promptly went to work at Symco Group until 2017 because he enjoyed the problem-solving aspect of his career so much. In 2018 he had back surgery at UCSF which resulted in a drastic decrease in mobility. Despite his health challenges over these next few years, Jim received what he refers to as “absolutely fantastic care” by his wife and two girls. He passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on June 28, 2025 and is now fully healed and whole in the presence of his Savior and Heavenly Father. Jim is survived here on earth by his daughters, Charlyn Torkelson-Selee and DeeAnn Wilkey (Don), his two grandchildren Jillian Bruton (Brad) and Michael Wilkey, and his great granddaughter Grace Bruton who will be born in August.
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