Viola "Vi" Tollefson

Viola “Vi” Tollefson, age 89, of Nunda, died Saturday, May 13, 2017, at Heritage Senior Living in Madison.

Funeral services will be 1:00 pm, Friday, May 19, 2017 at the Grace Lutheran Church at Nunda. Burial will be at Prairie Queen Cemetery at Nunda. The family will be present from 5-7 pm Thursday at Ellsworth Funeral Home in Madison.

Viola Maxine Sorenson was born August 23, 1927, on the family farm at Nunda, SD, to Robert and Lucille (Connor) Sorenson. She graduated from Rutland High School. Following high school she worked at banks in Onawa, IA and Brookings. Vi married Carol “Tolly” Tollefson on the family farm on May 21, 1948. She enjoyed bookkeeping for Tollefson Trucking. Her husband died in 1994, and she continued to live in Nunda until 2001 when she moved to Madison. She enjoyed baking, golfing, dancing and travel. After moving to Heritage Senior Living she enjoyed playing bingo and visits from special friends.

She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church of Nunda, which included, Ladies Aid and Sunday School Treasurer for 25 yeats.  She also served on the election board and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 68 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one infant daughter, three brothers, Charles, Robert, and Harlan Sorenson; two sisters, Charlotte Nagel, and Marjorie Brazell; two nephews; and special friend Merle Goedken.

Survivors include her daughters, Jan (Owen) Hotvet of Sioux Falls, Trudy (Mike) Haiar of Rapid City; two sisters, Betty Ann Larson of Albuquerque, NM, Donna Keiser of Lake Preston, SD; two sisters-in-law, Vi Sorenson of Madison, Esther Marzolf of Bayfield, WI; six grandchildren, Erin (Johnny) Sizemore, Tait (Christine) Hotvet, Luke Hotvet, Jaime (Dave) Sly, Jennifer Bothwell, Alex Haiar; and six great-grandchildren, Morgan, Mallory, Owen, Eloise, Mila, Amelia.

Memorials may be directed to: Grace Lutheran Church at Nunda or a charity of choice.

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