TOLLEFSON, Leon Robert 1937-2017

TOLLEFSON, BERG, HOLLAND

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 3/12/2018 at 12:36:22

Leon Tollefson

February 3, 1937 - September 30, 2017

Leon Robert Tollefson, 80, died Saturday, Sept.30 at his home of acute leukemia surrounded by his family.

He was born February 3, 1937 at Sartori Hospital in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the only child of Leonard and Doris (Berg) Tollefson.

He graduated from Cedar Falls Schools—lettering in four sports and president of his 1955 senior class. He was active in Boy Scouts, proud of reaching the rank of Eagle Scout. He always had a job—sales at Baxter’s Clothing, circulation manager at the Cedar Falls Record, and UNI groundskeeper while in school. He graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) in May of 1959 with a business degree and after college graduation, worked in the purchasing department at Rath Packing Company for several years.

Leon served his country as a member of the Army National Guard for six years from 1959-1965.

He married Gloria Holland at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Inwood, Iowa on August 9, 1959. To that union, a daughter, Lori, and son, Greg, were born. Three grandchildren were the joy of his life--- Nathan, Cari and Noah. He loved having “fun” with all the kids in our family.

Leon worked in international sales for Viking Pump for ten years. He enjoyed the travel, developing close relationships with their distributors around the world, always seeking new adventures.

He has traveled in 127 countries and all seven continents. Leon and Gloria especially enjoyed returning to their roots in Norway along with safaris in Africa, China and the Amazon in South America with Nathan and Paris with Cari.

In 1973, he joined AG Edwards as a financial planner and successfully helped his clients build their financial portfolios. He cared deeply for his clients and their financial peace of mind over the years until he retired in 2005.

Leon followed Cardinal baseball since he was a boy playing sandlot ball and never missed watching a Hawkeye football or basketball game.

Gloria and he joined Nazareth Lutheran Church in 1960 and have been active here since. Leon ushered, and while on the church council headed the long term financial planning committee. He was president of Nazareth congregation when this nave was built. He also served on the Christian Crusaders and Lutheran Home (New Aldaya) boards.

He is survived by his wife Gloria Tollefson, of Cedar Falls; one son, Greg Tollefson, of Cedar Falls; one daughter, Lori (Tom) Walton, of Waukee, and three grandchildren, Nathan and Cari Walton, and Noah Tollefson.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 6, 2017, at Nazareth Lutheran Church, with burial in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 5 at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home. Memorial may be directed to Nazareth Lutheran Church, Christian Crusaders and the YMCA. Condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.

We, as his family, want to thank you for your many visits, cards, calls, e-mails and especially for being with us here today to celebrate Leon’s life.

SOURCE: Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home website