Clifford D. Tollefson Sr.

Clifford D. Tollefson Sr., 98, of Moorhead, MN, died Tuesday, February 5, 2019, in Ecumen Evergreens of Moorhead.

Clifford Donald Tollefson was born to Thomas and Julia (Juvland) Tollefson on July 8, 1920, in Lengby, MN. Clifford was raised on a farm near Lengby and attended country school through the tenth grade. At the age of 16 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in order to send money home to his family. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army and served actively during World War II in the Sicilian, Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe battles. He was honorably discharged after his service and returned to Lengby where he opened a service station and repair shop with his brother, Oliver.

Clifford met (Melvina) June Kier after moving back to Lengby. Clifford and June were married on February 9, 1946, in Erskine, MN, and they had 9 children together.

Early in their marriage, Clifford worked in a variety of places including Alaska. In 1958, he started his career with Transport, Inc. in Fisher, MN, where the family lived until 1965. He then transferred to the Moorhead location, making their home in Dilworth, MN. He retired from Transport, Inc. in 1982 and eventually Clifford and June moved to Moorhead.
Clifford loved to drive and after retirement he enjoyed many years of various jobs where he could drive for employers such as Clay County, Muscatell, and a local seed elevator.

Clifford was a member of Dilworth Lutheran Church, Teamsters, American Legion, and the VFW.

Clifford loved his wife, his family and baseball, especially the Minnesota Twins. He was a simple man and a proud veteran. He will be forever missed by his loving family.

Clifford is survived by his children, James (Anita), Ogilvie, MN, Sharon Hoffman, Aberdeen, SD, Gloria (Wally) Mueller, Audubon, MN, Thomas (Debra), Glyndon, MN, Edward (Barbara), Plymouth, MN, Richard (Gina), Baton Rouge, LA, C. Donald (Cindy) Jr., Coon Rapids, MN, Curtis (Tammy), Anthem, AZ, and Patricia (John) Mastel, Fargo, ND; a stepson, Donald "Butch" (Stacy) Kier, Pine Point, MN; 29 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; a brother, Oscar, Underwood, MN; and many other relatives. Clifford was preceded in death by his loving wife, June (2016); great-grandson, Luke Anthony Tollefson; siblings, Mary Melgren, Gertrude Fritz, Clarence, Oliver, Lawrence, Elmer, Arthur, Leonard, and Baby Boy Tollefson.

The funeral service for Clifford will be held at 11 AM, Tuesday, February 12, 2019, with a visitation one hour prior, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, 409 8th St. S., Moorhead. Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Moorhead.