Tollefson, Barbara J. (1927-2009)

TOLLEFSON, PHILLIPS, GOUDSCHAAL, ROBINSON, GUZMAN, BLESSING, BROWN

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 12/31/2009 at 12:47:37

Barbara J. Tollefson - Dec. 12, 1927 - May 24, 2009

Barbara J. Tollefson, age 81, of Storm Lake, died on Sunday, May 24 at B.V.R.M.C. Born on December 12, 1927, in Duluth, MN, educated in Duluth public schools and the University of Minnesota at Duluth, she taught home economics. She married Robert Tollefson on August 29, 1950.

In Lakeside Presbyterian Church, she was ordained as an elder and worked with youth and women particularly. This led to leadership in Presbyterian Women and Mariners at the local, regional, and national levels. She taught and was Dean of Synod School. Governor Ray appointed her to a term on the Department of Environmental Quality. In 2005 she was honored as a Woman of Faith by the national Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in celebration of women’s ordinations. She loved to read, had a passion for children and the arts, loved traveling, cooking, writing poetry, teaching and playing the piano, and having fun in community musicals such as ‘South Pacific.’ Many BV students were fed and parented by Barbara. For over 20 years she had new BV faculty in for supper. She will be missed for her sense of humor and wit and deep love for others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Mary Phillips and infant sister, Mary Jane.

Barbara is survived by her husband Robert, and their children Rebecca Tollefson of Columbus, OH, Beth (Roger) Goudschaal of Tripoli, IA, Priscilla (Dan) Robinson of Storm Lake, IA, Jeff (Kris) Tollefson of Alta, IA and beloved Colombian ‘son’ Luis Guzman of San Antonio, TX. Grandchildren are: Sara Jane (Goudschaal) Blessing, Grant Goudschaal, Owen, Catharine, Alan and Dustin Robinson, and Christina Brown (foster granddaughter).

A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held on Friday, May 29, at 6:00 p.m. at Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Storm Lake with the family present at 5:00 p.m. In lieu of floral tributes, memorials may be made to the Barbara Tollefson Memorial Fund and sent to 1309 West Fifth, Storm Lake, Iowa 50588.

Copyright © 2009 Sliefert Funeral Home

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