Gerald N. "Jerry" Tollefsrud

1933 - 2016

Gerald "Jerry" N. Tollefsrud 1933—2016
Gerald "Jerry" N. Tollefsrud, 82, went to his eternal sleep on July 4th, 2016, at his home, surrounded by loved ones. Born July 31st, 1933, in Beloit, WI to Nile "Doc" and Edith (Beardsley) Tollefsrud. Graduated from Rockford East High School in 1951. Served in the US Army (Sergeant) in Frankfurt, Germany from 1953 to 1956. Married JoAnn Christenson in 1954, with whom he raised three children. He earned a BS degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois. Jerry was employed by Sundstrand Aviation from 1958 until 1970, when he became a real estate sales agent. In 1982, he moved on to financial services until his retirement in February 1999. He also authored three novels and published short stories in magazines and hardcover anthologies. He married Janet Patterson in August 1991, with whom he traveled extensively in Europe and the US and forged many happy memories. Jerry will be remembered for his outgoing kindness and sense of humor. He was a devoted, loving father, a voracious reader, daily crossword puzzle buff, and a steadfast follower of the Bears, Bulls, and Fighting Illini sports teams. Preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Richard Tollefsrud and Dean Tollefsrud, and his beloved terrier, Maggie. Survivors include his children, Laurel (Darlene) Tollefsrud of Berthoud, CO, Steve Tollefsrud of Laguna Beach, CA, and Andrea Tollefsrud of Boulder, CO; and one granddaughter, Alexandra Tollefsrud, of Grenoble, France.
A celebration of his life will be held at 1:30 p.m. July 31st, 2016, at Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Ltd., Fred C. Olson Funeral Home, 1001 2nd Ave, Rockford, IL, with visitation from 12:30 p.m. until service time. To share a memory or online condolence, visit olsonfh.com.