Leon Tollefson

Leon Robert Tollefson, 80, died at his home of acute leukemia surrounded by his family. He was born February 3, 1937 at Satori Hospital in Cedar Falls, the only child of Leonard and Doris (Berg) Tollefson.

He graduated from Cedar Falls Schools lettering in four sports and as president of his 1955 senior class. He was active in Boy Scouts, proud of reaching the rank of Eagle Scout. He always had a job-sales at Baxter's Clothing while in high school and circulation manager at the Cedar Falls Record while in college. He graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) with a business degree and after college graduation, worked in the purchasing dept. at Rath Packing Company for several years.

He served his country as a member of the Army National Guard for six years from 1959-1965.

He married Gloria Holland at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Inwood, Iowa on August 9, 1959. To that union, a daughter, Lori and son, Greg were born. Three grandchildren are the joy of his life--- Nathan, Cari and Noah. He loved having "fun" with all the kids in our family.

Leon worked in international sales for Viking Pump for ten years. He enjoyed travel developing close relationships with their distributors around the world, always seeking new adventures.

He has traveled --127 countries and all seven continents. Leon and Gloria have especially enjoyed returning to their roots in Norway along with safaris in Africa, China and the Amazon in South America with Nathan and Paris with Cari.

In 1973, he joined AG Edwards as a financial planner and successfully helped his clients build their portfolios until 2005 when he retired.

Leon has followed Cardinal baseball since he was a boy playing sandlot ball and never missed watching a Hawkeye football or basketball game.

Gloria and he joined Nazareth Lutheran Church in 1960. Leon ushered and served on the long term financial planning committee and as president of the congregation. He also served on the Christian Crusaders and Lutheran Home (New Aldaya) boards.

He is survived by his wife Gloria Tollefson, of Cedar Falls; one son, Greg Tollefson, of Waterloo; one daughter, Lori (Tom) Walton of Waukee, and three grandchildren, Nathan and Cari Walton, and Noah Tollefson.

We, as his family, want to thank you for your many visits, cards, calls, e-mails and especially for being with us here today to celebrate Leon's life.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 6, 2017, at Nazareth Lutheran Church, with burial in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 5 at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home. Memorial may be directed to Nazareth Lutheran Church, Christian Crusaders and the YMCA. Condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.