Glenn Harding Tollefson

Glenn Harding Tollefson, age 94, of Hopkins, MN passed away peacefully to be with the Lord on Friday, April 5th, 2024. Glenn was born October 2, 1929 on the farm in Gaylord, Minnesota to Theodore and Martha Tollefson. He was the 4th youngest of 11 children. He attended the District #13 country school and graduated from Gaylord High School in 1947. When Glenn was only 9, his beloved mother passed away. Life as a youngster was filled with hard work on the farm mixed with fun with his friends, neighbors and siblings. He loved music and sports, and played the tuba in the high school band and ran the mile in track. Glenn met the love of his life, Marian, in 1947 when his brother, Wallace, married her sister, Darlene, and he was the Best Man and she the Maid of Honor. They were just 18 and 16 at the time. Glenn and his brother, Lloyd, joined the Air Force in December,1950, after the start of the Korean War. Glenn was stationed in Japan for 31 months., working in Communications Telephone Repairs. During that time, he and Marian wrote letters daily and when he returned, Marian was waiting for him as he disembarked the ship in San Francisco. They were married 14 days later, on March 20, 1954. In March,1955, Glenn began his career with the telephone company, working for Northwestern Bell and later, AT&T. He retired in 1986 and went on to drive school bus until he was 85 years old. Glenn and Marian were blessed with four children, Tim, Tom, Cindy and Martha. They have fond memories of their dad as a boy scout leader, little league coach, and spending summer days at the cabin, water-skiing, fishing, and square dancing. Glenn had an adventurous spirit. He and Marian made it a goal to visit every baseball stadium in the country. They bought a timeshare in Orlando and spent many years with dear friends and family and introduced their grandkids to Disneyworld. He was beyond proud of his Norwegian heritage and was very active in Sons of Norway. He stayed close with relatives in Norway and visited 6 times. He loved singing in the Norwegian Glee club and treating his family to their annual Lutefisk dinner. He enjoyed golfing and was (rightly) proud of his hole-in-one. He had a strong Christian faith; he and Marian have been active members at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Hopkins since 1963. One of Glenn's greatest joys was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved telling them stories, golfing with them in the Tollefson Open, showing them his garden and making them pancakes on Sunday mornings. Glenn is survived by his dear wife of 70 years, Marian, his four children, Tim (Cinda) Tollefson, Tom (Linda) Tollefson, Cindy Forte and Martha Johnson; 9 grandchildren, Eric Tollefson, Becky (Andy) Johnson, Chris Tollefson, Ashley (Joe) Nora, Erin (Jake) Tone, Tom (Kayla) Ulsby, Tyler (Christina) Ulsby, Hayley Johnson and Grace Johnson and 3 great-grandchildren, Ava and Luke Johnson and Phoebe Nora. He is also survived by his brother Chester Tollefson, sister Marion Dietz, sister-in-law Betty Tollefson, and countless nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Martha, siblings and spouses Kenneth & June Tollefson, Marvin Tollefson, Wallace and Darlene Tollefson, Elaine and Irwin Wahlin, Lloyd and Pat Tollefson, Lorraine and Charles Arnold, Roger Tollefson, Ruby Tollefson, sister-in-law Gladys Tollefson and brother-in-law Willard Dietz. Funeral service will be held Sunday, April 14 at 1pm at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 715 Minnetonka Mills Rd. Hopkins. Visitation will be ½ hour prior with fellowship time after the service. Interment will be at 10am at Norwegian Grove Lutheran Cemetery, Gaylord on Monday, April 15th. Memorials preferred to Gethsemane Lutheran Church or to a donor's favorite charity. Washburn-McReavy.com Strobeck Johnson 952-938-9020

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Glenn Harding Tollefson

October 2, 1929 - April 5, 2024

Tributes

Glenn Harding Tollefson

October 2, 1929 - April 5, 2024

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