Finn Torjesen 1954-2023

       Finn was born June 15, 1954 to Edvard and Jenny Torjesen, the 6th of 7 children. He was raised in Taiwan where he met his wife, Sandy Dennis, when they were both 7 years old. From the beginning, Finn's life was one of movement, service for the Lord and risky faith.

       God led Finn and Sandy to youth work in Illinois, then Taiwan working while waiting for visas to Indonesia, to 9 years of church planting and camp work on Java, to Shanxi, China in 1993, the province his grandparents had served in and finally to a season with family in Colorado Springs.

​       After a short hospitalization, he was cared for at home and passed away peacefully on October 16, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Sandy Torjesen, his son Davin Torjesen (Rainy) and 2 granddaughters, and his daughter Denise Haeffner (Adam) and his sister Jean Torjesen Chaffee. He will be remembered and missed by countless people that his life impacted.

Memorial Service

Recorded live on February 10th, 2024

Have a Favorite Memory of Finn?

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Favorite Stories

Finn absolutely loved stories and he had an endless supply of tales about the things God did over the course of his life.
​This section is dedicated to Finn and to the ways that he made an impact on everyone around him.
​If ​you have a story of how Finn impacted your life, feel free to submit it by filling out the form above this section.

Joshua Morgan

January 8th, 2024

Hi, my name is Joshua Morgan and case you didn't know, I'm the owner of Luchnia Productions, the producer of Finn and Sandy's Crazy God Stories, and the admin of this website. Finn had a massive impact on my life. He was always a force in a room, a source of jokes and banter, but most importantly, he was always an inspiration and a strong ambassador of God clearly picturing His love as a Father toward us. Working on this project has been an incredible honor and our film shoots beginning in 2019 will remain as some of my fondest memories from my early 20's for as long as I live.

Not only was Finn one of my first long-term video clients, but in trusting me with this project he showed confidence in my work, allowed me to develop as a creative, and helped me to grow into the man I am today. 

Thank you, Finn. Not only for taking a chance on me and asking for help with this project, but also for being such a good friend and a bright spot in my life.

​I miss you.

Jan Fisher

January 13th, 2024

I will never forget going with Sandy and Finn to a favorite sushi restaurant in Parker. Finn requested more of hot Everything. When the server brought the hot chili sauce and more wasabi, he asked her if she would also bring a box of tissues. The poor young woman didn't know what to make of that. Finn then told her that in China, they are always given tissue but it was ok if she couldn't provide some. He then proceeded to eat all the spicy stuff. His face and especially his nose turned a lovely shade of red!! It was such a fun evening. I will miss you, Finn. I've always loved you, Sandy and the twins. Your legacy is one of helping and serving others and for this your whole family and your many friends are proud of who you are. I hope they have a lot of wasabi in Heaven!!!!

Katherine Seat

January 29th, 2024

My first memory of Finn is when he strode into a hotel lobby in Beijing in December 2001. I was part of a group of university students from Australia; we had just arrived for a 2-month visit with Evergreen. From when we got off the plane in Beijing we had been a bit freaked out and not daring to talk much. But as soon as Finn arrived we all relaxed. Somehow his presence made us all feel comfortable. He walked us through small back streets in Beijing and we had dinner at a restaurant. I still remember him telling us traditional beliefs about which way the teapot should point. We enjoyed that meal so much that later when we were in Beijing on the way home we tried to find it again. But we just got lost without him.

David Goodman

January 31st, 2024

Not sure who gave me his name, but I was ready to meet a mission executive from China. In walked Finn. This couldn’t be the guy! A devil-may-care smile, a gold stud in his ear with a personality that left me speechless -- which didn’t matter because he effortlessly made up for my deficiencies. For some reason we clicked, but I never understood it. He was everything I could wish to be. A highly successful mission leader in one of the world’s least likely locations. Even Chinese officials liked him. How could you not, unless you were inclined to jealousy? Yet he was so exceedingly generous that I couldn’t stay jealous long. God gave Finn a gift that he shared tirelessly. Seemingly effortless, a gift like his is far more of a burden than most of us can imagine. Even Jesus had to get away from the crowds. His recent health challenges had to be painfully limiting after so many years of sacrificial service. But no longer. Yes, he is better off, but we all struggle with the huge void he left behind. Still, what a legacy! Not the least of which is the continuing magnificence of Evergreen and the lasting inspiration and challenge he left with so many, who like me were given the privilege of crossing paths with Finn.

Many, many thanks, my friend!

Jan Schmidt

February 3rd, 2024

Not just ONE favorite memory.......there are many!! They all seem to involve lots of laughter and lots of great food!! Finn, you were truly one in a million!! Can't wait to have more of that great food and amazing laughter in heaven!! Love you!!

Jon Fisher

February 9th, 2024

I have more memories than I can count of Finn but one of my faves was when Denise held her 1920's themed birthday party and Finn and I both showed up "smoking our pipes" and becoming "the pipe bros". (see attached picture) Finn's pipe was real and mine was a prop but Finn was so natural and we both enjoyed the party immensely. I miss you very much, Finn, and I think of you often.