Cover photo for Clifford O. Tollefson's Obituary
Clifford O. Tollefson Profile Photo

Clifford O. Tollefson

September 1, 1938 — August 22, 2024

Eleva, WI

Clifford O. Tollefson

There is a stairway to Heaven, and they are made of concrete and our dad completed them on August 22, 2024

Clifford Orville Tollefson, age 85, was born on his home farm in Eleva WI, the son of the late Oliver and Clara (Johnson) Tollefson. He passed just 9 days short of his 86th Birthday. He attended Eleva-Strum High School, graduating with the class of 1957. 

In 1958 Clifford walked into the Post office to sign up for the US Army, only to find the recruiter at lunch. There, a Marine Corps recruiter, told him he had some time to chat, and he left for basic training in California the next day. While in the Marines, he spent 1 year overseas in Okinawa Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1961. 

After returning home, he started working in the construction field, eventually partnering in Tollefson & Vetterkind Construction. He later went into business on his own, as the owner of Tollefson Construction, until his retirement. There was not much about concrete this man didn't know, and he was particular about his work. He has been referred to as one of the best concrete men around. He filled his winter months driving semi.  

On Sept 2, 1966, he married Alice Stevens, and to this union two children were born. They later separated. He spent the next 20 years with Grace Austin, until her passing in 2012. 

Clifford was a well-known man in town, by friends of ALL ages. He was able to answer any question, even if he made it up on the fly. He had an uncanny ability to remember facts and tell you about things you didn't even know you wondered about. It was normal to find him scanning an atlas, or reading an encyclopedia.  

Clifford will be sadly missed by his children, Daniel (Rhonda) Tollefson and Denise (Jeffrey) Brion; his granddaughters, Teyss and Tayah Brion; sister, Marlys Lokken; brother in law, Dale (Teefer) Stevens; bonus family Bobbie Jo (Mark) Ryskoski, and a special set of twins Hunter and Aspen Ryskoski; his faithful companion, Duke the dog; also by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Besides his parents, Clifford is preceded in death by his brother and sister in law Palmer (Nancy) Tollefson; Brothers, Robert and his wife, Paulette Tollefson, infant brother Clifford Oliver and his Identical Twin brother Clayton Tollefson; brothers in law Richard Lokken and Teddy Stevens; sisters in law Sharon Peterson and Donna Laflin.

A celebration of life will be held at the Eleva American Legion Hall in Eleva WI on Friday, September 6, 2024 from 4 PM until 8 PM.

Clifford’s family would like to take this opportunity to send out a heartfelt thank you to all that took part in his care, including the entire staff of Moments Hospice and the American Lutheran Home of Mondovi and Chaplain, Gary Preston, the Osseo Ambulance, Eleva First Responders and the Talbot Family Funeral Home. The love and compassion given to him and our entire family during this difficult time will never be forgotten. 

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Clifford O. Tollefson, please visit our flower store.

Past Services

Celebration of Life

Friday, September 6, 2024

4:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)

American Legion Post 459 Eleva WI

26097 W Mondovi St, Eleva, WI 54738

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