Post Messenger Recorder -

Richard M. Tollefson, age 86 of Verona, passed away on Friday, May 18, 2018, with his family by his side at Meriter Hospital in Madison. He was born on October 30, 1931, in the Town of Vermont to his parents, Leonard and Elizabeth (Jenni) Tollefson.

Richard graduated from Verona High School in 1949. He was united in marriage to Marly Thurston on July 18, 1953, in Portage, WI. Richard retired from farming in 1987, and then worked for the Verona School District for the next ten years. He was a board member of AMPI, the Farm Bureau, and Pork Producers. Richard served the citizens of the Town of Verona for over twenty years on the Town Board as Third Supervisor, and as an appointed member of the Town Plan Commission and other citizen advisory subcommittees. Tollefson Park in the City of Verona was named in his honor. Richard was a kind and compassionate leader and mentor. He touched the lives of many people throughout his life.

Richard is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Marly; son, Michael (Jodi) Tollefson; daughters, Sheryl Lavell and Michelle Tollefson; a daughter-in-law, Sarah Tollefson; grandchildren, Treyton and Troy Tollefson, Colin and Megan Lavell, and Jacob and Elizabeth Tollefson. He is further survived by a brother, Russell Tollefson; a sister, LuDawn Kinnunen; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sons, Lance and Steve.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, May 25, 2018, at the Zwingli United Church of Christ-Paoli, 1338 County Road PB, Belleville, WI. Rev. Lance Smith will officiate and burial will be in the Verona Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, May 24, 2018, at the Becker-Beal Funeral Home, 109 Greenway Cross, Belleville, WI.

A memorial fund has been established.

An online memorial with guestbook is available at http://www.bealfuneralhomes.com.