Tollef Lindem Tollefson

LaVerne G. Tollefson, age 94, of Huron, died Monday, November 9, 2015, at his residence. His funeral service will be at 2 PM Friday, November 13th at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery with military honors by the Huron Veterans Council. Visitation will be from noon until 2 PM Friday at the First United Methodist Church with his family present. Visit www.kuhlerfuneralhome.com LaVerne G. Tollefson was born on January 25, 1921, near Cuthbert, South Dakota, to Rufus and Alma (Pawlowski) Tollefson. He graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1940. While attending high school he participated in sports, including baseball and track. He qualified all four years for the state track meet. Shortly after high school graduation he left for military service and was assigned to the US Army 84th Infantry 309 Combat Engineers. His combat duty put him in three major battles in Northern France, Germany-Rhineland plus the Battle of the Bulge. He was a black-out driver and rifleman for the many assigned missions and combat duty. Tolly, as he was called, was seriously wounded March 4, 1945, and was honorably medically discharged in 1946 after four and a half years of military service. He was awarded the following medals: the Purple Heart, the European and Middle Eastern Campaign Medals, three bronze battle stars, the American Campaign medal, the World War II Victory medal and the honorable service medal. In 1946, LaVerne worked as a sales representative for the REA. From 1947 to 1954, he worked for General Auto Electric as a certified automotive electrician and salesperson. On October 15, 1948, he married Nell Schanck, who was teaching in the Huron Public Schools. LaVerne graduated from Huron College in 1954 with a BA degree and from Northern State in 1958 with a Master's degree in Administration and Guidance. He continued his education at the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University. LaVerne taught school and coached at Bonilla, and was a coach and an administrator at Yale School for five years. He coached the track team to the state championship in 1957 as well as winning the district tournament in basketball. He taught and was also director of the guidance program at Redfield. He also taught Psychology for four summer sessions at Huron College. For 26 years, he taught Psychology and was the guidance counselor for Huron High School, while also serving as a state psychological examiner for 26 years. He and Nell enjoyed traveling during their summer vacations. In 1982, he was awarded the Outstanding Service Medal, the highest award the military gives to a civilian. LaVerne was a lifetime member of the American Legion, VFW and DAV. He was a NRA member, a conservative Republican and an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Huron Survivors include his wife Nell, of Huron; a brother, Herbert Tollefson of Menno and a sister, Melba Sorben of Huron; plus many nieces and nephews. LaVerne was preceded in death by his parents; one brother Lyle and two sisters, Beulah Johnson and Pauline Miiller.