TOLLEFSON, Luther Theodore 1902 -1978

BLAKESTAD, GROTH, TOLLEFSON, NEELEY

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 9/26/2009 at 14:33:55

#1:

Funeral services for Luther Tollefson, 75, who died in St. Ansgar Sunday, April 9, were held Wednesday, April 12 at the First Lutheran church here with the Rev. Stephen Engelstad officiating.

Luther Theodore Tollefson was born July 11, 1902 at the family farm north of St. Ansgar, the only son of M. George Tollefson and Nilla** (Groth) Tollefson. He was baptized as an infant by the late Rev. M.E. Waldeland, and confirmed by him in 1916. He received his early education in the Clayde and St. Ansgar grade schools and St. Ansgar High School. He lived his entire life in this community except for four years at Iowa State University, Ames, where he graduated in the class of 1925 with a BA degree in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry.

After his father's death he devoted his life to cultivating the family farm until his retirement in 1975 when he and his wife moved to St. Ansgar where he lived until the time of his death.

He married Myrtle (Blakestad) Neeley March 4, 1941. Mr. Tollefson was interested in civic affairs, the school system and his church. He held various offices in First Lutheran church over the years, presently serving as a member of the Planning Committee for the 125th Church Anniversary this year.

For 26 years he was a director on the Board of the Mitchell County Farmers Mutual Insurance Association. For 25 years he served as a director on the Mitchell County Board of Education. He served as co-chairman of the Mitchell County Cancer Crusade for several years. He started a milk pasteurizing plant in St. Ansgar several years ago which he operated for a number of years.

Mr. Tollefson is survived by his wife, Myrtle; one sister, Mrs. Ada Hahn of Osage; one nephew, Harlan Hahn of California; a step-son, Victor Neeley of Kennewick, Wash.; three Neeley grandchildren, Brenda Neeley Rose and son Christopher, Linda and Jeffrey Neeley, all of Kennewick.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Burial was in the First Lutheran Cemetery with Rev. Engelstad in charge of committal services.

(St. Ansgar Enterprise, St. Ansgar, Iowa; 13 APR 1978 )
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NOTE:
**Luther's mother's full name is: Ragnild "Nellie" Andrea (Groth) Tollefson
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#2:

Photo from 1970 directory for First Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar.

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