Josephine Tollefson

Josephine Marie "Jo" Tollefson

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Obituary of Josephine Marie Tollefson

Tollefson, Josephine "Jo" Marie age 81, of Edina, Minnesota, passed away on February 20, 2020. Jo was born at Immanuel Hospital in Mankato, Minnesota on April 30, 1938, the daughter of Wiliiam and Anne Jensen. She lived in Rapidan, Minnesota, seven miles south of Mankato. She was one of three children, an older brother, William Jensen, and a younger sister, Kathleen Jensen Millington. Jo also was preceded in death by three beloved stepbrothers, Curt, Owen and Robert Jensen. When Jo was 12-years-old her father bought the bank in Waldorf, Minnesota. Jo graduated from Waldorf High School in 1956 and continued on to Gustavus Adolphus College where she earned a B.S. degree in Nursing in 1960. Jo married Dean R. Tollefson in 1960, and moved to Saint Paul, Minnesota. Dean and Jo had four children: Jon, twins Kari and Kristi, and Jodi. She has ten grandchildren and a granddaughter in law: Josh and Maddie, Justin, Julia, Libby, Natalie, Jenna, Rachel, Carlos, Diego and Cole. She took her grandchildren on several trips, including Ireland, Norway, Washington DC, Cape Cod, Saint Augustine and Cross Lake, Minnesota. Jo dedicated her life to nursing and her family. Her nursing career began at Bethesda Hospital where she worked for five years after graduation. She then joined Mercy Hospital. She left hospital work and began a 30-year career with Anoka County Public Health. Over that time, she held the positions of public health nurse, team leader, nursing supervisor and manager. Jo was active in community service, serving on several Advisory Boards, including Continuing Care and Hospice of the Lakes, Anoka Technical College and Children's Home Society Crises Nursery of Anoka County. She also served on the Public Safety Commission for the City of New Brighton and was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in New Brighton. Jo loved traveling, walking, reading and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite place for social gatherings was at her Lake Country cabin in Cross Lake, Minnesota. Dean and Jo's golden retriever, Tipper, will forever hold a special place in her heart. Jo is survived by her husband, Dean R. Tollefson, brother, William Jensen, his wife Muir; sister Kathleen Millington, her husband Duke; four children, their spouses and ten grandchildren. A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 24, 2020 with a reception to follow at Christ Presbyterian Church, 6901 Normandale Road, Edina. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Developmental FX, 7770 East Lliff Avenue, Suite C, Denver, CO 80231.

Monday
24
February

Memorial service

2:00 pm
Monday, February 24, 2020
Christ Presbyterian Church
6901 Normandale Rd.
Edina, Minnesota, United States
(952)920-8515