William Oscar Tolander

William Oscar "Bill" Tolander, 91, of rural Winfield died Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the Washington County Hospital in Washington, Iowa.

Bill was born July 31, 1933, in Mount Pleasant. He was the son of Harold Leslie Eugene and Prudence Irene (Abrahamson) Tolander. Bill graduated from Olds High School.

After graduation, Bill was called to the service of his country. He was inducted into the United States Army on October 15, 1953 at Ft. Des Moines, Iowa. He served in the 271st Infantry Regiment. Bill was honorably discharged on Sept. 2, 1955, at Ft. Dix, New Jersey.

Upon his discharge, Bill continued his education at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. Bill studied music, primarily vocal music, as he developed his rich and deep bass voice. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music.

Upon his graduation, Bill moved to New York City. He was a paid soloist in church choirs, and sang for a variety of other music (including a couple of off-Broadway) shows and events, often with his sister Donna.

He also worked at a men's clothing store. It was in New York City that he met and married Sylvia Cohen in 1959. In 1960, the couple returned to Iowa where Bill began to farm the Family Century Farm. A successful farmer, Bill received an award from Farm Bureau for being the first farm in Iowa to achieve 200 bushels per acre of corn.

In the summer of 1997, Bill was united in marriage to Marjorie Louise McCarty Coleman.

Bill was a member of Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Olds American Legion Post. Bill served the church in various offices, and was always a fixture at the annual Smorgasbord, where he would serve tables and sing in the group of church members that sang songs in Swedish. With the American Legion, Bill worked often at the Legion's Pancake House at the Midwest Old Thresher's Reunion.

Music was always very close to Bill's heart. He was a bass in the Swedesburg Lutheran Choir, and in various music groups in the area. He performed in numerous plays, musicals and skits throughout Southeast Iowa.

He was often called upon to sing for weddings and funerals. When time permitted, Bill and Marjorie traveled to many interesting destinations.

Those thankful for sharing in Bill's life include his wife Marjorie; four sons, Gregory Tolander and his wife Janet of Roseville, CA, Aaron Tolander and his wife Shari of Winfield, Stuart Tolander and his wife Theresa of Yucca Valley, CA and Matthew Tolander of West Hollywood, CA; a brother, Wayne Tolander and his wife Nancy of Burlington; four grandsons, Jared (Kim), Jacob (Lydia), Conner and Mitchell Tolander; and four great-granddaughters, Zenley, Penelope, Charlotte and Kennedy Tolander. Also surviving are Marjorie's children, Randy Coleman and his wife Chris, Wes Coleman and his wife Barb, Diane Glass and Karen Miller and her husband Mike, along with their children and grandchildren.

Bill is preceded in death by three sisters, Donna Zuk, Louise Unkrich and Joanne Dawson.

A funeral service for Bill will be 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 19, at the Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church in Swedesburg. The Reverend Mark Youngquist will officiate. Burial will be in the Swedesburg Lutheran Cemetery with graveside military honors conducted by the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Detail.

Friends may call from 12 noon to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant.

The family is not planning to be present at any specific time.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com