Russell Tollefson

Russell H. Tollefson age 89 of Waseca, died on Monday, April 5, 2010 at the Waseca Medical Center-Mayo Health System.   Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, April 8th at 1:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca, with Fr. Marty Schaefer, Celebrant. Interment with military honors will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waseca.   Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at McRaith Funeral Home in Waseca, and will continue on Thursday for one hour prior to services, at the church.   Russell Herbert was born on February 13, 1921 in Waseca County, Minnesota to Carl and Neila Karlstad. Russell served in the United States Army in the European Theater during WWII. Upon his honorable discharge he returned home, and in May of 1946 he was united in marriage to Rosella Anna Waletske. Russell and Rosella lived their entire married life in Waseca. He was employed with Northwestern Bell, retiring after more than 30 years of service. Russell enjoyed bingo, playing cards, and western movies. Russell was a member of the Sweet-Sommers VFW Post #1642 in Waseca, the Waseca American Legion Post # 228, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca.   Russell is survived by his wife Rosella of Waseca; by his children Joann (Gary) Wollschlager of Lakeville, Carl Tollefson of Waseca, Connie Splett of Janesville, and Joyce (Rick) Sikel of Waseca; by 14 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren; by his brother Arvid Tollefson, and his sister Alice Labs, both of Waseca.   He was preceded in death by his parents; by his son Gary (Karee) Tollefson; by his son-in law Gary Splett and his daughter-in-law Christine Tollefson; by his three brothers and five sisters; by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.   Casketbearers are:   Cory Tollefson, Jamie Tollefson, Todd Tollefson, Jason Tollefson, Kim Wollschlager, Casey Wollschlager, Rodney Sikel, Jeremy Sikel, and Jeff Splett.