Robert “Swan” LeRoy Tollefson, age 82, of New Richland, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, April 2, 2019, at the New Richland Care Center.
Funeral Service will be 11 AM on Monday, April 8, at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in Lemond with Rev. Richard Hegal, officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Sunday, April 7, at Starkson & Steffel Funeral & Cremation Service ~ McRaith Chapel of Waseca. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.
Memorials are preferred to Pontoppidan Lutheran Church or Donor's Choice.
www.wasecafuneral.com
Robert “Swan” Tollefson was born on July 14, 1936, in Waseca to Delmer and Beryl (Dodge) Tollefson. He was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his faith in his youth all at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in Lemond. He grew up in rural Ellendale where he attended country School. Swan was a 1954 graduate from New Richland Public School. Following his education, he began farming alongside his father as the 3rd generation farmer in the Tollefson family. He also worked as a field man for Owatonna Canning Company, drove milk truck for Land O Lakes and drove truck for Shurson Brothers. Swan was a dedicated farmer. He took pride in everything that he did, from growing crops to raising hogs, and milk cows. On October 12, 1957, Swan was united in marriage to Dorothy Schultz at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church. Together they continued to live on the family farm while raising two children.
Swan was a faithful member of Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in Lemond. He was also active in the Lemonds Snappy Boosters 4-H Club for many years. Swan was the pitcher for his 4-H, Church and Town softball teams. Swan enjoyed going to Dog and Horse Races, vacationing to Las Vegas, and especially deer hunting with his family. He also loved following his children and grandchildren's activities. Swan cherished the time he spent with his family and friends. Swan lived life to the fullest and his family and friends will miss his humor and sarcasm in their lives but cherish all the memories he left behind. He spent the last 6 _ years living at the New Richland Care Center where he adored and teased the whole staff who treated him like family they were wonderful to him until the end. Blessed be his memory.
Robert is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Dorothy of New Richland; daughter, Julie (Mike) Moen of New Richland; son, Ricky of New Richland; grandchildren: Joshua (Jackie) Moen of New Richland, Alex (Andrea) Moen of Ellendale, Adam (Mathias) Moen of Minneapolis, Rylie, Jaci and Braxton Tollefson of Mountain Lake; great grandchildren: Breckyn and Bexleigh Moen of New Richland, and Reid Moen of Ellendale; step great grandchildren: Kendra Raimann of Mankato, and Ashton Raimann of New Richland; siblings: Karen (David) Warke of New Richland, Larry (Roseanne) Tollefson of Aitkin, Leland (Susan) Tollefson of Rochester; step brothers: Greg (Teresa) Reichert of Nashville, TN, Doug (Linda) Reichert of Highlands Ranch, CO, and Randy (Ann) Reichert of Circle Pines; brother-in-law, Ray Schultz of Newhall, CA; sister-in-law, Shirley Tetzloff of Waseca; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents: Delmer and Beryl (Dodge) Tollefson; stepmother, Marian (Reichert) Tollefson; sister, Carol (Tollefson) Wiese.