Walter J. Tollefson

The Rev. Walter Jerome Tollefson, Jr., a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Thursday, September 16th. Walter was born on June 26, 1939 in Pelican Rapids, MN to Walter and Helen (Olson) Tollefson. He graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1957 and received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Moorhead State University in 1981. In September of 1965, Walter joined the Detroit Lakes Police Department. Walter was appointed Chief of Police in June of 1989. He held that position with poise until his retirement on July 31, 1996. He was united in marriage to Doreen (Rice) in July of 1983 in Detroit Lakes, MN. Walt was elected to the City Council of Detroit Lakes in January of 2002. In 2008, he was ordained and served as Priest at St. Lukechr(39)s Episcopal Church in Detroit Lakes as part of their Total Ministry team. He has touched many lives with his service to his church community. Walter cherished spending time with his family and friends. All who knew him appreciated his sense of humor and caring nature. He was especially known for giving family and friends special nicknames and writing humorous poems. Walter enjoyed hunting, traveling, watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, birds, camping, and "stirring the pot" with his family. He is survived by his wife, Doreen, Detroit Lakes, MN; daughters, Mary (Bill) Molitor, Cold Spring, MN; Anne (Elliott) Korsen, Plainsboro, NJ; Lora (Albert) West, St. Cloud, MN, Lisa (Ambrose) DeGidio, Detroit Lakes, Lynn (Anthony) Branch, Edina, MN, Leslie Rice (Scott Gravalin), Glyndon, MN, Lea (Brad) Anderson, Detroit Lakes, MN, fourteen, grandchildren: Sarah, Kathryn, David, Sam, BreAnne, Nathan, Tony, Andy, Kjersten, Austin, Nicole, Katherine, Tony, and Parker; brother Laurel Tollefson, Cottage Grove, MN, sister Kerry Evans, Minneapolis, MN, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Helen Tollefson, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry and Margie Olson, and grandchildren, Grant and Casey DeGidio.