James Toralv Shofner of Howard Lake passed away at Harmony River Living Center of Hutchinson on February 15, 2017
Memorial Service: 2:00 PM Sunday, February 19, 2017 at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake
Visitation: beginning at 1 PM Sunday
Interment: Riverside Cemetery of Osage, Minnesota
James Toralv Shofner was born on February 24, 1938, at Nimrod, Minnesota to Rynard and Olga (Olson) Shofner. He was baptized in the Baptist Church. He grew up in northern Minnesota attending Park Rapids High School first and graduating from Hibbing High School.
After High School, he lived in Aurora and worked in the Iron mine. He entered the United States Army. After service, he came back to Aurora to work in the mine. James later moved to Minneapolis and went to work for Bennett Material Handling, as a fork lift mechanic. He worked there for 30 years retiring in 2000.
In 1968 James married Connie Kimler. On November 11, 1989 James married Jo Ann Beyer-Gehrke. In 2001 the couple moved to Howard Lake.
James liked the outdoors, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He liked old cars and restored a 1951 Cadillac. He was a member of operating engineer’s 49 union.
James passed away on February 15, 2017 at Harmony River Living Center of Hutchinson, Minnesota. He had reached the age of 78 years, 11 months and 21 days.
Survivors include: wife Jo Ann of Howard Lake, son Michael (Tanisha) Shofner of Arden Hills. Daughter Shelly (Justin) Pintabona of Petaluma, California. Step son Tony Gehrke of Annandale. Grandchildren: Abigail, Parker, Mason, Brittany, Shelby, Sara Jo, and Dylan. Great grandchildren: Hailey, Devin, Raven, Karter, and Arlo. Brothers and sisters: Donna (deceased), Gene (Alice), Jerry (deceased) his wife Carol, Pete (Judy), Bard (Vicki), Barbara (Ronald), Sheryl, Caroline (John), Russell (Debbie), Allen (Mike) deceased, Laurie, Edna (deceased) and Elizabeth. Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
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