John Tolvstad

Rock Rapids, IA John W Tolvstad, age 92 of Rock Rapids, IA died Friday, May 9, 2014 at Rock Rapids Health Centre. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, May 13th at the Apostolic Christian Church in Lester, Iowa. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, May 12th with the family present from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and again from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Apostolic Christian Fellowship Hall in Lester. Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids is in charge of services. John W. Tolvstad was born November 18, 1921 in Elgin, Illinois, the son of J. Norman and Evelyn (Sandberg) Tolvstad. He grew up in Elgin and received his education at Elgin High School. John began his employment with Illinois Bell Telephone Company in 1940. In August of 1942 John enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps, receiving an honorable, medical discharge, before enlisting with the U.S. Army, serving until November of 1944 when he received his honorable discharge. John was united in marriage to Louise Moser on April 26, 1944. They lived in Elgin until 1955, when they moved to Dundee, IL. After 42 years of employment with the Telephone Company, John retired in 1982. In 1983 John and Louise moved to Rock Rapids, IA where they lived the rest of their lives. John was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Lester, IA, member of Rex Strait Post No. 103 American Legion in Rock Rapids, NRA, Pheasants Forever, and lifetime member of the Rock Rapids Gun Club. John taught the Hunters Safety Course to many of the youth in Lyon County, and supplied hundreds of guns to the youth for hunting and the sports of Trap and Skeet Shooting. He was an avid hunter and fisherman well into his 80s. He also enjoyed gardening, especially growing roses. On August 1, 2005, Johns wife Louise died after 61 years of marriage. John remained living in their home until October of 2011, when he entered Rock Rapids Health Centre. He remained there until this past Friday, May 9, 2014, when he died at the age of 92. He will be remembered by many as a generous and giving person. John is survived by his daughter, Susan, husband Daniel Stiles of Kokomo, IN; sisters-in-law, Emma Lou Tolvstad, Donna Metzger and Tina Moser all of Rock Rapids, IA; niece, Julie, husband Gary Taylor of Rock Rapids, IA; niece, Kris, husband Larry Lee of Savannah, GA; niece, Rebecca, husband, Jeff Ives of Rolfe, IA; five step-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; special friends Glen and Joyce Metzger of Lester, IA; and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, J. Norman and Evelyn Tolvstad; his wife, Louise Tolvstad; son John C. Tolvstad; and brother, Robert N. Tolvstad.