Andrew “Andy” Tollefson, age 79 of rural Baldwin, died on Tuesday evening, December 7, 2010 surrounded by his family after a year-long battle with lung cancer. Andy was born on November 9, 1931 in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin to parents Art and Emma (Burgess) Tollefson. Andy was one of thirteen children raised on his family’s farm. Like many rural farm kids, Andy attended country school. On June 19, 1954, Andy would be united in marriage to Ruth June Huff at the Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. This union would be blessed with five children, Kenny, Kathy, Keith, Kelly and Kevin; two generations of grandchildren, and over 56 years of marriage between Andy and Ruth.

Andy was born and raised on a farm, and grew up working alongside his family around the farm. Besides farming and raising angus beef cattle, Andy worked long-term for such employers as Cemstone, and Nor-Lake. Andy also worked for the past few years in his “retirement” at the Township of Baldwin. When he wasn’t at work or keeping busy around the farm, Andy could be found out in the woods cutting trees for firewood, watching a Packers or Brewers game, or giving his grandkids, as well as his dog, rides around the farm on the Ranger. Andy was a long time member of Zion Lutheran Church.  He looked forward to the monthly Nor-Lake retiree luncheons followed by calling Bingo.  Andy will be missed dearly by his family and good friends.

Andy is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ruth; his children Kathy (Jim Bennington) Curtis, Keith (Shelly) Tollefson, Kelly (Scott) DeGross, and Kevin (Crystal) Tollefson; twenty grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; six brothers; two sisters; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and good friends. Andy was preceded in death by his son, Kenny; his parents, Art & Emma; and four of his brothers, Willard, Tory, Richard and Thomas.

Funeral Services for Andy Tollefson will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Woodville, with Pastor Keith Anderson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church, and also from 3:00-7:00PM on Friday at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin, WI. Burial will take place at the Sunset Cemetery of Woodville, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Zion Lutheran Church, Woodville, WI, are preferred.  Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin. 715-684-3434.