Barbara Jean Tollefson, 85, of Fargo, North Dakota, formerly of rural Crookston, Minnesota, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday February 14, 2026 at the Elim Care Center surrounded by her family.
Barbara was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota on May 18, 1940 to Theodore “Ted” Thureen and Sophie Andreson Thureen. Barbara grew up in rural East Grand Forks and attended the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, Minnesota graduating in1958. She then earned her LPN certification at Bethesda School of Nursing.
It was at NWSA (the AC) that Barbara met and fell in love with Roger. They were married at Bethany Lutheran Church in rural East Grand Forks, Minnesota on September 10, 1960. So began an almost 65 year partnership grounded in their faith, family, and service to others.
Barb is survived by her children, Ruth (Roger) Quanbeck of Hallock, MN; Julie (Kirk) Militzer of Moorhead, MN; Denise (Randy) Erickson of Barnesville, MN; Brenda (Nathan) Richman of Moorhead, MN; David (Shannen) Tollefson of Moorhead, MN; and Sara Hansen of West Fargo, ND.
She is a loving grandmother to Tressa (Micah) Bengston; Stephen (Stephanie) Quanbeck; Danielle (Matt) Casperson; Carissa (Paul) Eikom; Tori (Brett) Hanson; Joshua Militzer; Peder (Taylor) Erickson; Rachel (Alex) Woodworth; Ryan Richman; Josiah (Annie) Militzer; Elizabeth Erickson; Hannah Hansen; Abby Erickson; Ashley (Thomas) Zwiers; Ethan (Eden) Hansen; Sophie Hansen; Esther Hansen; and Scott (Cassie) Lantz.
She delighted in her great-grandchildren: Bjorne, Svea, Rorik, Charles, Everett, Bennett, Eleanor, Teddy, Elliot, Rose, Jane, Elsie, Jack, William, Reese, Brynn, Brooks, Ava June, Judah, Quinn, Lotte, Corban, and Gavin.
Barbara is survived by her sister, Elaine Evenson; brother, Curtis (Sharon) Thureen; sisters-in-law, Doris Desautels, Joyce Vogt; brothers-in-laws, Raymond (Marian) Tollefson, Paul (Elaine) Tollefson.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years, Roger; parents, Ted and Sophie Thureen; brother, Dennis (Diane) Thureen; brothers-in-law, Harvey Evenson, Bert (Anita) Tollefson, Russell (Darlene) Tollefson, Dwain (Nancy) Tollefson, Fred Desautels, Leonard Vogt; sisters-in-law, Donna Tollefson, Marian Tollefson.
Barbara’s family will celebrate her life with a funeral service on Saturday February 28, 2026 at Resurrection Free Lutheran Church in Beltrami at 10:00 am. Visitation will be Friday February 27 at Resurrection Free Lutheran Church from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. A prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Resurrection Free Lutheran Church in Beltrami, MN or Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Contact Samaritan’s Purse.
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