Noel Tollefson

Noel Tollefson, 63, of Fargo, ND, died Wednesday, February 20, 2008, peacefully at MeritCare Palliative Care Unit, Fargo. Noel Lee Tollefson was born December 25, 1944, in Kansas City, Missouri, son of Melvin John and Lucile (Schaaf) Tollefson. He attended high school in Wakefield, MI. He attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in History and Sociology in 1967. After graduation, he signed a contract to teach in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, but was drafted by the U.S. Army. He served two years in the Army, one of which was spent in Vietnam. Noel began teaching in Sharon, North Dakota, in 1972. He taught there for three years before the schools merged in 1975. He taught at Finley-Sharon School for 33 years, retiring in 2005. He taught High School Social Studies, Psychology, and Choir, as well as Junior High School English and Choir. He was in charge of the Close-Up Program for many years. He served as Junior Class Advisor, officer in the Finley-Sharon Education Association and on curriculum committees. Noel was Assistant Girl’s Basketball Coach for over 20 years and Varsity Track Coach for 30 years. He was awarded Coach of the Year in Track in 1997 and 1999, and Girl’s Basketball Assistant Coach of the Year in 1989. Noel received a 28 years “Years of Service” Award from the North Dakota High School Coaches Association as well as a lifetime membership to that organization. Two other awards were very special to him, the Sharon High School Student’s Award for Support and Guidance and an award from the 1990 Varsity Girl’s Basketball team. He was involved in the Sharon-Finley communities as a concert soloist, singing at many weddings and funerals. Noel was a member of the Sharon American Legion. Noel is survived by two brothers, Eugene Tollefson, Fremont, NE; and Wayne Tollefson, Fargo, ND; two nieces and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral Service: Tuesday, February 26, 2008, at 4:00 PM, at Finley-Sharon School Auditorium, Finley, ND. Visitation: Tuesday, February 26, 2008, from 2-4 PM, at the school. Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND. Memorials are preferred to Finley-Sharon Dollars for Scholars Noel Tollefson Scholarship or the Finley-Sharon Education Association.