Peggy Ann Tollefson, 78, passed away and was reunited with the love of her life of 48 years on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born Sept. 27, 1939, to James and Elvera (Timm) Otto. Peggy graduated from Redwood Falls High School in 1957 and attended the University of Minnesota – Mankato. Peggy married David “Tolly” Tollefson on July 23, 1961, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. They then moved to Rochester, Minnesota, and shortly after moved to Austin, Minnesota, where they raised their three children. Peggy was an amazing housewife, mother and friend. She had a special gift for making everyone in her life feel loved in a very individual way.

When the children were young, she was an Avon lady and made many lifelong friends. Peggy enjoyed reading, spectator sports and spending time with her family. She looked forward to her date nights with her “favorite” Kyle. Peggy loved her church, where she volunteered in the office and helped in the kitchen making doughnuts and lefse and working the Mower County Fair Diner, where she worked this last August.

Peggy and Tolly opened Tolly’s Time Out in Austin in May of 1984 and retired after 22 years of business.

In 1998, Peg and Tolly bought a cabin in southeastern Minnesota, where she loved to entertain family and friends on the weekends. She loved bird watching and relaxing, although she was never much for relaxing.

Peggy will be missed by everyone she has touched. Her remarkable courage, strength and persistence will never be forgotten by those who loved and cared for her. She had such a loving and contagious smile, even until the end.

Peggy is survived by her daughter, Kersten Tollefson, Austin; sons and daughter-in-law, Kyle Tollefson, Austin, and Brian and Geri Tollefson, Austin; grandchildren, Trevor (Taylor) Bordelon, Albert Lea, Minnesota, Taylor (Brandi) Bordelon, Austin, and Marisa (Logan) Olson, Bryant, South Dakota; great-grandchildren, Harper, Adalyn, Kinsleigh, Paige and Olivia; sisters and brother, Janet Anderson, Bothell, Washington, Tom Otto, Belle Vista, Arkansas, and Karen (Ron) Ness Paynesville, Minnesota; sisters-in-law, Elsie (Jerry) Narveson, Chatfield, Minnesota, and Beatrice Tollefson, Kenyon, Minnesota; nieces, nephews and many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, David “Tolly” Tollefson; and her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 19, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Todd Portinga officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. Thursday at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary; and at the church for one hour before the service on Friday. Memorials are preferred to the St. Olaf Lutheran Church Building Fund or the St. Olaf Lutheran Church Kitchen Fund.