Martin S. Tollefson

Martin Tollefson, age 94, of Roseville, MN, passed away peacefully on August 2, 2025 surrounded by family.

Martin was born May 21, 1931 to Gunnuf and Bertha Tollefson in Primrose Township, WI. Martin graduated from Mt. Horeb High School, where he participated in football, basketball and track in addition to helping out on the family farm. After high school, Martin enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in their "Seabees" construction battalion. While in the U.S. Navy, Martin married his high school sweetheart and eventual bride of nearly 72 years, Mary Ellen Bakken. He subsequently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Economics. Martin remained an avid Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers fan. Upon graduation, Martin and Mary Ellen moved to Roseville, MN where Martin would work for over 30 years at Farm Credit as a VP Commercial Loan Officer.

In addition to his career and raising their family together, Martin was actively involved in giving back and supporting the community. Martin contributed thousands of hours to a number of organizations that were meaningful to him, including: Lions Club, Como Park Lutheran Church, Lyngblomsten, YMCA, PTA, coaching youth sports, Meals on Wheels, and the United Way. Martin and Mary Ellen actively engaged their community and greatly enjoyed their time with family, neighbors and friends from all phases of their life - whether it was golfing, fishing, playing cards, and traveling - including their regular break from winter in Gulf Shores. They also avidly attended their grandchildren's wide variety of sports, theater and musical events.

Martin and Mary Ellen remained in their same Roseville home until transitioning to the Lyngblomsten Senior Care complex in St. Paul, MN where they have received exceptional support from a team that consistently displays a level of care and compassion beyond compare. As a family, we are extraordinarily grateful for the care that our parents have received and would like to thank the Lyngblomsten team.

Martin is preceded in death by his parents, Gunnuf and Bertha; and brother, Robert. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen; three children, Beth Cregan, Kari (Steve) Krengel, and Ross (Beth) Tollefson; as well as seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

A memorial service for Martin will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, August 30 at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home - Roseville, 2130 N. Dale St. at County Rd B. Visitation will be prior to the service from 12 - 2 PM Saturday.

In lieu of flowers or memorials, the family requests that donations be considered to the organization that was a primary focus of Martin's volunteer work and has made Martin and Mary Ellen's past year an exceptional one, the Lyngblomsten Foundation.