Obituary - Edward Arthur Tollefson

Edward Arthur Tollefson, 82, died April 9, 2015, at Northern Montana Hospital.

The Hi-Line Funeral Services has been entrusted with the arrangements. Ed has been cremated, and no services are planned.  

Ed was a farmer at heart; he would want his friends and family to remember him by planting a few potatoes, or a flower or two in his memory. Ed was known as “Big Ed” to his many friends. No one is certain where the nickname “Big Ed” started if it was because of his big tall frame or from his big generous heart. 

  Ed was born April 13, 1932, in Grand Forks County, North Dakota, to Ed and Alma (Kortness) Tollefson. Ed came to Montana as a young man to work. The ability to work hard gave Ed the good fortune to work, to live an independent life and to drive his own pick-up until the last few days of his life. Harvest time last fall, at age 82, he stated “I think I will retire this fall.” It was getting difficult for him to climb onto the tractor seat. He worked as a farm hand, truck driver and other various jobs up and down the Hi-Line, never spending time unemployed. 

Big Ed spent the time needed to keep in touch with his friends, always concerned of what was happening to the people he knew. He moved into the Eagles Manor in July 2014. He enjoyed visiting with the friends he made at the Manor and he enjoyed the fellowship he found at the North Central Senior Center. Ed, “Big Ed,” will be missed by his many friends and his only surviving brother, Ardell Tollefson of Havre.  

  He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Jeanette and Ernie.

Memorials may be sent to the Havre-Hill County Library foundation, 402 3rd St., Havre MT 59501.