Cora "Kay" Tollefson

Kay Tollefson, age 97, of Granite Falls, passed away Saturday, March 24 at the Granite Manor in Granite Falls. Services will be held on her birthday Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. from the Granite Falls Lutheran Church in Granite Falls, with burial at Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church Cemetery. Sunset Funeral and Cremation Association of Echo and Wabasso are in charge of the arrangements. Cora Kay Tollefson was born on May 15, 1914 to Knute and Carrie (Hovey) Thostenson in Woodlake Township in Yellow Medicine County. She was confirmed in Hanley Falls and graduated from Hanley Falls High School in 1931. On September 26, 1936, Kay married Wallace Tollefson in the parsonage at Dawson in a double ceremony with her sister, Evalyn, and Harvey Rafnson. Wallace and Kay lived in Minneapolis until 1942 when they moved to California. They lived the majority of the time in California in Downey. Kay was a very active member of Christ Lutheran Church, participating in Circle, volunteering at the California Lutheran Hospital Thrift Shop, and singing in the choir. She worked as an optometrist’s assistant. In 1972, Kay and Wallace moved to Granite Falls. Kay worked as a bookkeeper for the Granite Falls Medical Center, retiring in 1989. She was a member of Granite Falls Lutheran Church. Kay was an avid bridge player, belonging to three groups and always willing to be a substitute if there was a need. She loved watching sports, especially seeing her son and grandson play. Kay was a big fan of the Minnesota Twins. On March 24, 2012 Kay passed away at the Granite Manor in Granite Falls at the age of 97. Kay is survived by her children, Dr. Judy (Bartholomew) Mahoney of Newport Beach, CA, and Woody (Sue) Tollefson of Granite Falls, MN; one grandson, Taylor Tollefson. Her parents, husband, Wallace, five brothers, Tebert, Clarence, Gilbert, Vernon, and Kennard, four sisters, Maye Thostenson, Gladys Nelson, Evelyn Thostenson, and Evalyn Rafnson preceded her in death. Blessed be the memory of Kay Tollefson