Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
As received from the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel:
Harlan Thore Tollefson, Sr., age 84, of L’Anse, Michigan, went home to be with his LORD and Savior, on January 29, 2023.
He was born on February 15, 1938 in Pequaming, MI, the son of Harry and Martha Tollefson. He married the love of his life, Shirley, on June 11, 1977. They spent a wonderful 45 years full of love, joy and laughter. Together they set a wonderful example to their children, grandchildren and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley, children Alan (Jackie) Ross, Debra (Mike) Ouellette, Darren (Brenda) Ross, Harlan (Vonda) Tollefson, Jr., Dawn Tollefson, Todd (Jill) Tollefson, Erica Nelson, Wendy (David) Goodreau, Jon Ross, and Kristine (Chad) Holmquist; grandchildren Mickey (Kalee) Ross, Jared (Kaley) Ross, Leah Ross, Ben Ross, Christopher Ouellette, Amy (Randy) Chappell, Matt Oullette, Dylan Ross, Caleb (Alissa) Tollefson, Althea (Travis) Waldhart, Kyle (Tracey) Robillard, Abbie (Levi) Wells, Samantha (Christopher) Freeman, Travis (Olivia) Tollefson, Erik Voskuhl, Hannah Voskuhl, Chelsea Goodreau, Cody (Haley) Goodreau, Rebekah (Ian) Helman, Chase Holmquist, and Carson Holmquist; 15 great-grandchildren, sisters; Patsy Halverson, Dee Dee (Bob) Hilker and Sandy Tollefson, sister-in-law Helen Tollefson, sister-in-law June (Fred) Pfeiffer, brother-in-law Ken (Kris) Kokko, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Martha, his brother Garry, his grandchild Ryan Robillard, and brother-in-law Ronald Kokko.
Harlan grew up in the Pequaming/L’Anse area and graduated from L’Anse High School. He attended the Dunwoody Institute, studying welding.
Harlan’s work experience was wide ranging and full of adventure: as a union pipefitter and iron worker, sawyer (falling timber in California, Washington, Alaska, and Michigan), sailor on the Great Lakes, and finishing his career with the MDOC as a corrections officer.
Harlan was a member of the L’Anse Baptist Church and served through music, singing in the church choir. He also shared his musical talents in the tri-county area as a member of the Lightkeepers Quartet.
Harlan loved being outdoors and spent a lot of time at “Hardtime’s Palace”, hunting, but mostly enjoying the camaraderie while spending time around the wood stove in the evening. He was a master storyteller with a great sense of humor. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and trapper. Harlan’s midlife crisis was training and racing sled dogs. Above all things, his family was most important. Over the years, he was a cheerleader for his grandchildren regularly supporting all their extracurricular activities.
Harlan will be missed by many friends and extended family.
A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at the L’Anse Baptist Church. Funeral services, officiated by Pastor Jerry Bishop will be held at 12 p.m. Immediately following the funeral service, the family invites friends to join them for fellowship and a luncheon at the church.
Spring interment will take place in the L’Anse Evergreen Cemetery.
Harlan’s complete obituary will be available soon.
The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements
