Charles "Chuck" Tollefson

Charles “Chuck” Tollefson, 73, of rural Whitehall, died Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at Mayo Clinic Health System – Eau Claire. Chuck was born April 2, 1943, in Eau Claire, to Arthur and Emma (Burgess) Tollefson. He married Sylvia “Dolly” Krause February 27, 1965 in St. Paul. Chuck graduated from Whitehall High School, Class of 1961. After graduation, Chuck moved to Minneapolis, MN and lived with his brother’s family, starting his work at Honeywell as a machinist. While at Honeywell, Chuck attended Dunwoody College of Technology for a degree in Tool & Die. It was also at this time that Chuck met the love of his life, and future bride Dolly. The married couple purchased their first home together in Coon Rapids, MN. After graduating from Dunwoody, Chuck worked at Northwest Tool & Die in St. Paul, MN. In 1974, the couple purchased a farm on Daggett Coulee, near Pigeon Falls, WI. Chuck continued to work at Northwest Tool & Die, and in 1976, the couple bought a herd of cows and went into full time farming. For the next 41 years, Chuck was able to enjoy his passion: working the land on his John Deere tractors. Chuck is survived by wife, Dolly; son, Greg (special friend, Sue) Tollefson; daughter, Brenda (Botch) Tranberg all of rural Whitehall; six grandchildren, Shane Springer, Josh (Abby) Phillip, Mitchell, Joleen, Emma and Neal Tollefson; four brothers, Romaine (special friend, Judy) Tollefson of Galesville, Jerome (Lois) Tollefson of Minneapolis, Duaine (Linda) Tollefson of Durand and Bob (Kathi) Tollefson of Boyceville; two sisters, Elaine (Don) Niesche of Clearwater, Minn. and Ellie (Tom) McMahon of Eau Claire; mother-in-law, Augusta Krause; sisters-in-law, Audrey, Evie, Pat, Ruthie and Libby Tollefson, Ramona Krause, Diane (Jack) Mates and Toni (Chuck) Hegerfeld; brothers-in-law, Jerry (Rozann) Krause and Casey (Joanne) Krause. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Tom, Richard, Tory (Barb), Willie (Phyllis), Gary and Andy Tollefson; father-in-law, Eugene Krause and sister-in-law, Mary Tollefson. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2017 at Peace Lutheran Church of Pigeon Falls, with Pastor Terry Lorenz officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Sunday at Edison Funeral Home, Independence, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles "Chuck" Tollefson, please visit our flower store.