Viola Tollefson - Nunda

Aug. 23, 1927 – May 13, 2017

Staff
Posted 5/16/17

Viola “Vi” Tollefson, 89, of Nunda, died Saturday, May 13, 2017, at Heritage Senior Living in Madison.

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Viola Tollefson - Nunda

Aug. 23, 1927 – May 13, 2017

Posted

Viola “Vi” Tollefson, 89, of Nunda, died Saturday, May 13, 2017, at Heritage Senior Living in Madison.  Funeral services are at 1 p.m. Friday at the Grace Lutheran Church at Nunda. Burial is at Prairie Queen Cemetery at Nunda.  The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Ellsworth Funeral Home in Madison.

Viola Maxine Sorenson was born August 23, 1927, on the family farm at Nunda, to Robert and Lucille (Connor) Sorenson.  She graduated from Rutland High School.  Following high school she worked at banks in Onawa, Iowa, and Brookings.  

Vi married Carol “Tolly” Tollefson on the family farm on May 21, 1948.  She enjoyed bookkeeping for Tollefson Trucking. Her husband died in 1994, and she continued to live in Nunda until 2001 when she moved to Madison. She enjoyed baking, golfing, walking, music and  traveling with her special friend Merle. After moving to Heritage Senior Living she enjoyed baking, golfing, dancing and travel. 

She was member of Grace Lutheran church of Nunda, which included, Ladies aid and Sunday school treasurer for 25 years. She also served on the election board and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 68 years. 

Survivors include her daughters, Jan (Owen) Hotvet of Sioux Falls and Trudy (Mike) Haiar of Rapid City; two sisters, Betty Ann Larson of Albuquerque, N.M., and Donna Keiser of Lake Preston; two sisters-in-law, Vi Sorenson of Madison and Esther Marzolf of Bayfield, Wis.; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, one infant daughter, three brothers, Charles, Robert, and Harlan Sorenson; two sisters, Charlotte Nagel and Marjorie Brazell; two nephews; and special friend Merle Goedken.

Memorials may be directed to: Grace Lutheran Church at Nunda or a charity of choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.ellsworthfh.com.