Lawrence S. Tollefson

Funeral Services for Lawrence S. Tollefson, who passed away on April 1, 2020 will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Jim Paulson officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery.

Due to COVID-19 and St. Olaf restrictions, social distancing and masks are required to attend the funeral service. A time of fellowship will be held at the Fireside Inn following services at the graveside.

Lawrence S. Tollefson, 74 of Doyon formerly of the Harlow, ND area passed away early Wednesday morning, April 1, 2020 at the CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital with loving family at his side.

Lawrence Sylvester Tollefson was born on July 5, 1945 at Maddock ND the son of Rudolph and Eustean (Bingham) Tollefson. He grew up on the family farm at Harlow. After his Dad died, as the oldest son, Lawrence, even though he was a very young man, took on the responsibility of the farming operation with help from his uncle, Fred Bingham. He also was learning other trades as a cement finisher and in construction.

In 1967, Lawrence married Connie Weaver. They divorced in 1975 several years after the birth of their daughter Kristie.

Lawrence worked as a cement finisher for over 35 years, many of those years with Buzz Liska and later with Ron Nelson and Peterson Construction. Lawrence’s heart was always as a farmer and he worked for Steve Tronson and Dave Friedig whenever they needed that extra hand.

Lawrence was united in marriage to Gaylene Enstad on December 16, 1978 at the Sheyene Lutheran Church, Pekin ND. They established their home in Devils Lake and in 1997 moved to Doyon ND and have called it home through the years. In December 1979, their daughter Nicole was born.

When Lawrence wanted a change of pace, he was either participating in a Demolition Derby or watching one somewhere. In April 2009, his grandson Austin was born and he was the number one grandpa to the number one grandson. Austin was his pride and joy and Grandpa Lawrence was there for him every step of the way, and enjoyed watching him wrestle.

Lawrence’s loving family include his loving wife of 41 years Gaylene; daughters Kristi Tollefson and Nicole Tollefson both of Devils Lake; grandson Austin Bender; siblings Elisabeth (Charles) McGarvey, Rudolph (Judy) Tollefson, all of Devils Lake, Mary Lou (Jim) Steinhaus, Grand Forks, John (Marva) Tollefson, St. Michael ND, Daniel Tollefson, Horace ND and Nancy (William) Thomas, Mandan ND; many nieces, nephews, several aunts and uncles, beloved in-laws and special dog Tucker.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Eleanor Williams and Barbara and her husband Lloyd Rosendahl.

Limited visitation for Lawrence will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake for family and friends on Saturday, April 11, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  Social distancing and limiting of numbers will be observed. Funeral services for Lawrence will be held at St. Olaf Lutheran Church and burial in the Devils Lake Cemetery at a later date.