Jeffrey Toppari

Jeffrey Joe Toppari was born on September 4, 1964, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to William and Loretta (Haverinen) Toppari. Jeff was baptized into the Lutheran faith and spent most of his childhood in Eden Prairie, Champlin, and Hanover, Minnesota until the family moved to Menahga in November 1977. He attended the Redeemer Lutheran Church and was confirmed in 1980. Jeff attended high school and received his GED in Menahga. After high school, Jeff briefly joined the National Guard and was honorably discharged.

 On August 30, 1986, Jeff married the love of his life, Lori Lynn Torvinen at the First English Lutheran Church in Menahga, Minnesota. Together, Jeff and Lori made their home in Menahga where Jeff worked in construction. Jeff and Lori moved to Elizabeth, MN in 1992, where Jeff and Lori raised their family. Jeff worked at Art & Sign and Innova Industries. The family moved outside of Fergus Falls in 2000. Jeff started his own business in his garage with his wife Lori and brother-in-law Philip (Torvinen). In 2009, Jeff moved forward with expanding his business and partnering with Neil Nokes, they opened 59 Finishing, a powder coating company in Fergus Falls. In 2021, the partners sold the business, and Jeff and Lori made their home in Vergas, Minnesota. Jeff worked at CNH Fargo before fulfilling a childhood dream of “playing in the dirt” at Holcim (formerly Aggregate Industries), Union 49. 

Jeff was a hard worker; employers valued his work ethic and intelligence. He was very knowledgeable about many things and was resourceful in finding information. Jeff had a kind heart and was always willing to help others. Jeff enjoyed everything outdoors; he loved grilling, summer and winter fishing, spending time in the woods and in nature, deer hunting, and getting stuck every spring. Mostly, Jeff loved being with his wife, children, and grandchildren. 

Jeff passed away suddenly on February 5, 2025, after receiving a cancer diagnosis just a few weeks before. He was 60 years of age. He will be missed so very dearly by his family and friends. 

Preceding Jeff in death is one son, Christopher James, his mother Loretta Toppari, paternal grandfathers Everett Toppari and Jalmer Haverinen, maternal grandmothers Edna (Hietala) Toppari, Esther (Markkula) Haverinen, and good friend, Bobby Odland.

Jeffrey is survived by his loving wife, of 38 years, Lori Toppari; his father, William Toppari; his children: Lissa (Timothy) Usher, Terri (Toppari) Franklin, Chelsea Toppari, Kaisa Toppari, and Elaina Toppari (Daniel Underhill); 13 grandchildren; his siblings, Jacqui (Marlin) Stewart, Justin (Joni) Toppari, and Janel Toppari, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jeffrey Toppari, please visit our floral store.