Richard Henry Tollefson Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Richard Henry Tollefson (Shakopee, Minnesota), born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who passed away on October 20, 2023, at the age of 83.

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Richard Henry Tollefson was born to Merland and Lillian (Dahl) Tollefson February 28, 1940, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He passed away on October 20, 2023, at 83 years old in Shakopee, Minnesota.

He served in the US Airforce in the initial capacity of Basic Airman at Kessler AFB, Mississippi, and worked his way to an Aircraft Electrical Navigation Equipment Repairman, aka. CODE 30650B: Electronic Communications and Cryptographic Equipment Systems Repairman, at MARCH Air Force Base Riverside, California as part of the 33 COMM SQUADRON (SAC) “Strategic Air Command”, as part of direct support during the Vietnam War operations (during the conflict in Southeast Asia, they supported the 22nd Bombardment Wing, Young Tiger, Rolling Thunder, Arc Light and Linebacker II). Richard’s military vocational tract while in service to his country afforded him an education to obtain a position with Sperry Univac as a computer technician, working with some of the first supercomputer installations.

Richard went on to have 3 children with his first wife Beverly Webb: Wanda (Richard) Mooney, Jonathon (Jennifer) Tollefson, Jennifer Webb, and later a fourth child with partner Ann: Tracee. He was preceded in death by William Wager, a beloved Grandson. Richard had 13 Grandchildren and 9 Great Grandchildren.

Richard was an independent spirit who always lived life on his terms. He enjoyed fishing and tinkering with old cars. He had enthusiastic passion of restoring old homes and acquired multiple properties providing rentals which kept him very busy. He found adventure in travels, spending time occasionally in Missouri and visiting his favorite state of Florida.

Richard found his family as an anchor to come back to during the festive times of the year to enjoy his children and grandchildren. He always called Minnesota his home. He had a sharp wit which made many laughs as he would grin to express his jest at family gatherings.

Richard’s family will host a military interment service on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. The service will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, 7601 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55450. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to support and help the fight against dementia, Alzheimer’s, and the American Brain Foundation, in Richard’s name.

We will always carry your memory in our hearts, may you rest in peace.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 24th 2024 from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery (7601 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55450).