Nell E. Tollefson, 95, of Huron, went to her heavenly home on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at the Violet Tschetter Memorial Home. A celebration of Nell's life was held at 1:00 Friday, February 9, at First United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery at a later date.
Nell E. Schanck was born June 19, 1922, to Rose (Wolkow) and Walter Schanck, Erwin South Dakota. Nell graduated from Erwin High School in 1940. While in high school she was involved in all music groups, vocal and band, debate and declam. Nell attended Yankton College where she worked for her room and board in a private home and at Fantles Clothing Store. She was involved in plays in the Shakespeare Gardens and played clarinet in the college band. Nell received her two year State Elementary Teaching certificate in 1942. She taught 5th and 6th grade and high school dramatics the following year at Orient, South Dakota. She moved to Huron, South Dakota, where she taught 5th grade for 45 years at Wilson and Buchanan Schools. Nell graduated with a BA from Huron College in 1956.
Nell was involved in all educational groups: HEA, SDEA, NEA, and PTA. Nell was an active board member of the South Dakota Social Studies Board. She was honored to be asked to join the prestigious Annie D. Tallent Club now called Honored Women Educators. She served on the Education Committee of the Chamber of Commerce.
Nell was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she served on the Education Committee, was president of Gertrude Becker Guild, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday school.
Nell married LaVerne Tollefson October 15, 1948. LaVerne was wounded in action during WWII and decorated with the Purple Heart. He taught and coached at Bonilla, Yale, and was Guidance Counselor at Huron Senior High School until they both retired from education. They enjoyed entertaining in their home as well as gardening and raising miniature ponies on their farm near Huron. Over the years, they treasured the companionship of three special dogs: Poochie, Boomer, and Thumper.
One of Nell's greatest joys was writing poetry. In her poems, Nell expressed her deep gratitude for God, her beloved husband, her relatives, her school children, her dogs, and many friends with whom precious years have been spent. Nell and Tolly celebrated 67 years of love before Tolly passed away on November 9, 2015. Now they are reunited in Heaven.
Nell Tollefson is survived by her niece, Charlene (Lewis) Bainbridge and family, Ethan, South Dakota; three nephews, Larry, Terry, and Bryce Tenold and their families of California; sister-in-law, Melba Sorben and her family, Huron, South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; infant brother, Edward; her brother, John who was captured and died in a prison camp in the Philippines during WW II; two sisters and their husbands: Margaret (Mel) Tenold and Mildred (Harold) Nelson; and nephew, Lonnie Nelson.
Nell's family expresses special thanks to Dr. Robert Hohm and the staff at Violet Tschetter Memorial Home for the attentive care given to our dear Nell.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the music department or the children and youth department at the First United Methodist Church.