Carol Joan Tollefson, the daughter of Edwin and Helen (Enger) Janssen, was born Feb. 25, 1940, on her grandparents’ farm near Cylinder, Iowa. Carol passed away on January 10, 2026, at New Perspective Living Center in Roseville, MN, where she had resided for 3 years. Carol grew up with her parents and 3 sisters on her parents’ farm near Rodman, IA. Carol graduated from Rodman High School in Rodman, Iowa, in 1957. In high school she was on the girls’ basketball team and was active in 4-H. She continued her education at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, with an Assoc. degree in education in May of 1959.
She then began teaching elementary school in rural Iowa.
She continued working on her bachelor’s degree and graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa in 1963. Carol then began teaching in Minneapolis, MN. She still pursued more education, receiving a graduate degree from St. Thomas University in St. Paul, MN in 1978. On Dec. 19, 1964, Carol was united in marriage to James T. Tollefson at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN. They made their home in the western suburbs of Minneapolis. They were married for nearly 56 years until James’ death in 2020. Carol taught elementary education for 40 yrs. Her favorite activities were traveling with family, gaming, reading, and TV sports. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin & Helen Janssen, her husband, James Tollefson, and her sister Shirley Walders. She is survived by her sisters, Ruth Howieson (Darrell) of Pequot Lakes, MN and Patricia Thoreson of Oakdale, MN, as well as many nieces, nephews, and special relatives & friends.
