Sherman Roy Tollefson, a resident of Glendale, Arizona, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2023, surrounded by his family. Sherman was 83 years old. 
Sherman was born on June 8, 1939, in Northwood North Dakota, to Richard and Gertie Tollefson. At the age of four, they moved to Crookston. He grew up attending public school and graduated from Central High School in 1957.
Sherman was known to his friends as “Tolly.” On October 22, 1960, he was joined in marriage to Joanne (Joni) Palmer at the Cathedral in Crookston. They lived and raised their family in rural Crookston. Tolly was a devoted husband and father to Jeff, Susan and Chris who cherished spending time with his family. He enjoyed outdoor activities like fishing and hunting and loved to learn about science and history. Tolly enjoyed gardening and raising horses and was active in the Agassiz Riders Horse Club.
After graduating from Crookston High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Mayville State University. In 1967, he began teaching sixth grade at Carmen Elementary and later taught eighth grade math and science at Highland Middle School and then sixth grade at Highland Elementary. Known to his students as “Mr. T.” One student said, “I learned more that year than any year. When we did not understand, he always provided unique ways to communicate the learning material to every student. No child was left behind and every student was treated fairly”. Tolly was instrumental in beginning the greenhouse and summer gardening projects. After a career that spanned over 35 years, Tolly retired in 2004, moving to Glendale, Arizona in 2006.
He was a dedicated member of his community throughout his life. During the summer, he was director of the CETA Summer Youth Program for Tri-Valley Opportunity Council. He filled this position for sixteen years. He enlisted in the Army National Guard and served his country with honor until the age of 60. Tolly retired from the Minnesota National Guard as Sargent E7.
He was a coach, umpire, and referee, dedicating countless hours to mentoring young athletes and ensuring that games were played fairly and with respect for the rules. For fifty years, Tolly played, sponsored, and officiated softball. In Northwest Minnesota, he was Umpire in Chief of district and regional tournaments from 1977 to 1984 and officiated at the National Softball Tournament in Lubbock, Texas. He was named to the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame in 2004. He continued his love of officiating sports in the areas of football and basketball.
Tolly will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his legacy will live on through the many lives he touched and the students and athletes he inspired. His family and friends take comfort in knowing that he is now at peace, and that his memory will continue to inspire and uplift those who knew him.
Tolly is survived by his wife, Joanne, and two sons, Jeff (Michelle) Mesa, Arizona, Chris (Jennifer) Peoria, Arizona and his son-in-law James Hollenbeck, Aurora, Colorado, his brother and sister-in laws Bill and Doris Janssen, Crookston, Minnesota, and Larry and Bonny Landwehr, Sartell, Minnesota. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Crystal (Brett) Dahle, Anchorage, Alaska, Wyatt, Jamis and Emery Anne, Peoria, Arizona.
Tolly was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan (Hollenbeck), his parents, Richard and Gertie Tollefson, his father and mother-in law, Emery and Lenore Palmer and his brother and sister-in-law, Larry and JoAnn Palmer.
A celebration of Tolly’s life will be held at Saint Thomas More Catholic church in Glendale Arizona. A memorial service, in Crookston Minnesota, will be held in June 2023.
In leu of flowers, donations can be made in Tolly’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. (St. Jude)
