Otis Tollefson

Thursday, December 26, 2024 9:44 pm

Otis Tollefson, age 92, of Decorah, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, at Wellington Place in Decorah.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m., on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, at First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway St. Decorah, with Pastor Michael Wilker presiding. Burial will be in the Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Decorah Community Food Pantry; P.O. Box 26; Decorah, Iowa 52101, or to WinnMed Hospice, 901 Montgomery St., Decorah, Iowa 52101.

Otis Jerome Tollefson was born to Otto S. Tollefson and Katherine Marjorie Ramsay on Jan. 14, 1932, in Decorah, Iowa.  He was baptized on Feb. 7, 1932, at Springfield Lutheran Church and confirmed on May 19, 1946, at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church in Decorah.

On Feb. 23, 1957, he was united in marriage to Elsie Jane Reyerson.To this union, three children were born: Debra, Diane, and Steven. They made their home in Decorah.

At an early age, Otis worked at Wimmers Department Store, where he was in charge of men and boys clothing. In 1948, he moved to Cedar Rapids and operated a drill press and later worked for a wholesale grocery company. He moved back to Decorah in 1951 and was employed at Minowa Skelgas.  Minowa Skelgas was later sold to Skelly Oil Co., and he was their manager for 25 years. He retired in 1991 and later served as county supervisor for 4 years between 1993 – 1996.

Otis was a member of First Lutheran Church, Silvercrest Country Club, Elks Lodge and was a previous member of the Lions Club. He was instrumental in helping start and to officiate stock car racing at the Decorah and Waukon Racetracks for ten years.

He enjoyed playing golf (he had 4 holes-in-one!), softball, cards, as well as traveling, watching old westerns, and watching Packer and Hawkeye games whenever they were on.

Otis is survived by his children: Debra (Michael) Gallagher of Cedar Rapids, and Steven Tollefson of Decorah; a sister: Gail (Fred) Libby; grandchildren: Michelle (Ryan) Bildstein, Matthew (Kate) Gallagher, and Emily Jaastad (Jacob Bedford); great grandchildren: Avery, Harper, Anthony, Brandi, Micah, Jack, Grace, Violet, and Olive; and many nieces and nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his wife: Jane, daughter: Diane (Tollefson) Jaastad; parents: Otto and Katherine Marjorie Tollefson; brother: Noel Tollefson; sister: Patricia Hall; sister-in-law: Dolores Tollefson; and brother-in-law: Dr. Robert Hall.