Clark Tollefson

Louis Clark Tollefson, age 93, died June 11, 2020 in Brainerd, MN.  Clark was born March 19, 1927 in Hatton, ND to Tom and Alice (Eide) Tollefson.  Upon graduation from Hatton High School he enlisted in the US Army during the final months of WWII. After serving in the army, he attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. He married Clarice “Clary” Nelson in Minneapolis August 19, 1950 and they lived in married student housing on the campus of Concordia College until his graduation in 1951. Clark and Clary moved to Minneapolis in 1952 where they started their family and Clark received his CPA certificate before moving to Austin, MN to start his own practice in 1957. He sold his accounting practice in 1970 and moved to Gull Lake in Brainerd, MN to work for Dynamic Homes and Lund Boats in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Clark valued faith and family.  He grew up in, and raised his family in the church, and he served the churches he attended in a variety of roles. He was happiest when surrounded by family who shared his love of cars, travel, skiing, golf, boating, history, and following Minnesota’s sports teams. He had a quick wit and laughed easily, often laughing until he cried. He was “Baba” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought him great joy.  He entertained them with silly games as children, and proudly watched them pursue their interests and grow to be compassionate, caring adults.

Clark is survived, and will be greatly missed, by his wife of 69 years, Clary; children, Nancy (Robert) Bacon, Paul (Patricia) Tollefson, and Karen (Michael) Ellingson; grandchildren, Peter (Shandra) Tollefson, Leah (Jeremy) Swift, Tyler (Rachel) Bacon, Jon (Josh Crosson) Tollefson, Kirsten (Ryan) Siegle, Becca (Dan) Loman, Reid (Macie Heine) Ellingson; great-grandchildren Justine, Colton, Owen, Kennedy, Elin, Winston, Jones, one more to be born in November; and many nieces and nephews.

Clark was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Alice Tollefson; siblings, Donald Tollefson, Fern Groethe, and Diane Hibbard; and son, Thomas Tollefson.

A private family funeral service and burial will be held June 15, 2020 at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls with arrangements by Nelson-Doran Funeral Home and Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd. A memorial service for extended family and friends will be held on a date to be determined.  

The family wishes to express our deep gratitude to the staff of Edgewood Healthcare in Brainerd for their years of compassionate care treating our parents as family.

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