Norman R. Tollefson, 58, of Grand Forks and formerly of Devils Lake, died Monday, January 24th, 2011, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.  Funeral Services will be Friday, February 4th, 2011, at 11:00 AM at the Nelson Funeral Home Chapel in Maddock with Pastor Allen Campbell officiating.  Burial will be in the spring in the church cemetery.

Norman Roy Tollefson was born March 25th, 1952 to Waldo and Esther (Westby) Tollefson.  He was raised on a farm near Brinsmade, ND and graduated from the Leeds High School in 1970, where he was very active in the FFA Chapter.  Norm served in the US Navy from 1971 to 1975 as a radioman aboard the USS New Orleans.  From 1975 to 1987, he was a police officer in Stanley, ND and eventually served as their Chief of Police.  Norm worked for a government contractor in the US Marshall Island in the South Pacific from 1988 to 1995 and then lived in Devils Lake from 1996 until recently moving to Grand Forks.   Norm was once married to Elena Ramos and later to Donna Hagen.

Norm was confirmed at Antiochia Lutheran Church rural Churchs Ferry, ND.  He loved fishing and watching his favorite teams, the Minnesota Twins and Vikings.

He is survived by his sons:  Maren Tollefson of Kingsland, GA and Matthew Tollefson of Spring Valley, CA;  grandchildren:  Cameron Tollefson and Maylene Tollefson;  step-sons:  Ramil Ramos,  Rene Ramos and Rolly Ramos;  his mother:  Esther Tollefson, a resident of the Maddock Memorial Home in Maddock and a brother:  Lee Tollefson of Yorktown, VA.

Norm was preceded in death by his father in 1986 and a brother:  Duane Tollefson.


Condolences:


Sorry to hear of Norm's passing.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you Esther and all of your  family. Garry & Darlene Thompson

Dear Esther and Lee,   We are so saddened and surprised to learn about Norm's death.  We want you to know that you have our deepest sympathy and that you are in our thoughts and prayers.  Esther, we know how difficult it is to lose a son.  Children are not supposed to die before their parents, and it is very hard to understand when it happens. While we will not be able to attend Norm's funeral we will be with you in spirit.  Betty (Tollefson) and Rick Johnson, Lignite ND

I wanted to extend my thoughts to Norm's entire family & friends. I heard of his passing the end of last week and was saddened. I used to help him in his most recent days and hadn't seen him in a few months. I'm hoping that you can all find peace even though he is no longer with us on earth. I enjoyed our visits and his stories and I'll think of him often and remember his half smile he always gave me! Take care...Kellie L. Grand Forks ND

So sorry to hear of the loss of a dear classmate Norm. I hadn't seen him since we graduated and was so looking forward to see  him again at the reunion. I am praying for the family and will met him again in heaven by and by. Class of 1970 rules Norm We love ya. Jane Bisbee Britton

We send our thoughts to Norm's family.  We lived across the alley from Norm & Elena in Stanley, ND.  Pat bowled on a team with Norm.  Lots of fun times.   Again, our thoughts and prayers are with you.   Pat and Cora Norton

Please accept my most sincere condolences.  Norm was a classmate of mine at Leeds and we enjoyed each other's company considerably.  Also, while the Police Chief at Stanley, he treated my uncle, Alvin Egge, very well and compasionately.  I am so sorry.    Tim Whalen

I just learned of Normans passing. Iwas a police officer with Norman in Stanley. Please give my sympathy to his family. Philip Bleakley