*Orlan Norman Tollefson, 92, of Minot, N.D., longtime Minot businessman, passed into God’s loving arms on Oct. 18, 2014, at Trinity Hospital with his family at his side.

He was born March 6, 1922, in Sanish, N.D., the oldest son of Ole T. and Myrtle Nygaard Tollefson. They moved to Minot in 1924. On Oct. 23, 1949, he married Rosella Berge.

He is a 1947 graduate of St. Olaf College. Orlan served in the Army Air Force during WWII from 1942 to 1946, when he was honorably discharged. He and his son Roger were honored and privileged to be a part of the Roughrider Honor Flight from North Dakota on a trip to Washington, D.C. in May of 2011.

Orlan and his brother Duane bought Tollefson’s Furniture from their father, Ole, in 1953. They grew their business in many ways with several different business ventures – Depot Sales, Kenmare Furniture, Warehouse Furniture Sales, Tollefson’s Carpetland, The Carpet Garage, and started an Import Wig business. In 1988, Orlan’s son Roger and Duane’s son Mark bought the business from them, becoming the third generation of Tollefson’s to continue the family business.

Orlan has been a faithful member of Bethany Lutheran Church since 1922. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethany and throughout the years he served in various capacities, including teaching Sunday school, treasurer of the church, and three terms on the council. He was a founding member and secretary of the Bethany Foundation Board. He always gave willingly and freely and generously of his time and talents.

He has been an active member of the Minot community and involved in many organizations. He was a member of the American Legion since 1949, Kiwanis Club member for 62 years, Diplomats, Eagles Aerie, Elks Lodge, SCORE, and Sons of Norway. He joined the Shriners in 1954 because the Shriners Hospital was very important to him. He was one of the original founding committee members and later the operations manager of the Norsk Hostfest. He was the Treasurer of the Hostfest for 32 years.

He served on the Board of Directors for the Red Cross, Chamber of Commerce, Union National Bank (First Bank), and Norsk Hostfest.

He was a proud conservative and member of the Republican Party and worked and headed various local and state committees and boards for many years. He was honored to be a delegate to the National Republican convention when Reagan was nominated.

He had a passion for reading news and learning and was fortunate to be able to travel the world extensively. Orlan, along with a friend, also bought and developed Sunset Bay at Lake Metigoshe in the 50s. He was a man of many interests: playing bridge, fishing, hunting, collecting, golfing, and especially the Rolling Acres farm.

His loving family includes his wife of 65 years, Rosella; children, Rosann Wold and husband Mike, and Roger Tollefson and wife Michelle; six grandchildren, Christian Wold and wife Jana, Charles Wold, Scott Wold, Emily Mackner and husband John, Brent Tollefson and wife Denise, and Hanna Tollefson; five great-grandchildren, Riley and Kaylin Wold, Ella and Mara Mackner, and Crosby Tollefson; siblings, Duane Tollefson and wife Sharlene, and Phyllis Kempkes and husband Neville; his uncle George Nygaard, age 104; cousin, Charlotte Tollefson Mosqueira ’59 and husband Victor; and many beloved sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

Memorials are preferred to Bethany Lutheran Church Foundation, Hostfest-Heritage Foundation, and Shriners Hospitals for Children.