Lowell Tollerson

Lowell C. Tollerson, 81 of Fergus Falls, died October 31, 2026, at PioneerCare. Lowell was born at Wright Hospital and raised in Fergus Falls, the son of Kenneth and Lorena (Evavold) Tollerson. He was baptized at Grue Lutheran Church of rural Battle Lake and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.

He married Nancy Gast of Wahpeton in 1973 after they met in the late-1960's when she came to Fergus Falls. They had two children, Brad and Sarah. He started his career as an electrician at age 14, working for his uncle, Wendell Holt. He continued his career with the United States Navy--proudly serving two tours in Vietnam as a Seabee electrician supporting the Marine Corps at Da Nang and Dong Ha from 1966 to 1968 near the border with North Vietnam. He and six of his fellow tradesmen were named the "Magnificent Seven" for their work in dealing with the most challenging projects near the DMZ--frequently under fire. His military service remained a point of pride throughout his life. He became a licensed Journeyman electrician shortly after the war while working for Hintgen Karst Electric in Fergus Falls. He spent his working years with a variety of electrical contractors--culminating in his work traveling with the IBEW throughout the country on many major construction projects. He retired with approximately 45 years of service to the industry in his late-50's.

He enjoyed construction projects--whether remodeling the lake cabin, roofing, siding, remodeling the house, helping to remodel the church parsonage, building garages, or helping his kids with their construction projects. Gardening became a huge pastime after he retired, and he enjoyed participating in the Fergus Falls Classic Car Club with the family's 1931 Plymouth.

He beamed over his four grandsons. He was so proud of each of their events and accomplishments--attending sporting events (baseball, basketball, and football), cheering them on and missing very few, and never missed a year of deer hunting. He was still in the field last fall and planned to participate again this year. He loved his time at Wall Lake in the summers at the cabin--whether fishing, riding on the pontoon, huddled around the bonfire, or just visiting with family and friends. He anxiously waited to hear the results of each and every hunting or fishing trip his grandsons embarked on. After each report, he's quickly and enthusiastically responded "Good Enough!" In quiet times, he could be found watching westerns or game shows on TV.

He was warmly loved by everyone he encountered with his warm and genuine smile and interest in people. That continued until his final days at Lake Region Hospital and PioneerCare with the care staff. Even though his life was fraught with all the earthly challenges that we all experience, he retained an upbeat, friendly, and positive outlook.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenneth Jr., sister Kathleen, in-laws Richard and Bernielle Gast, and sisters-in-law Richadeene Martinson and Karen Barton. He is survived by his wife Nancy, and children Brad (Kari) and Sarah (Stephen) Goerdt, grandchildren Benjamin (Kellen Frigaard), Elijah, and Andrew Tollerson and Joshua Goerdt, brothers Lyle Peter and Steven Tollerson, brother-in-law Don Martinson and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

Memorials are preferred to Calvary Free Lutheran Church, Young Life, or PioneerCare.

Visitation: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 5, 2026 at Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume one-hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 6, 2026 at Calvary Free Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.

Clergy: Pastor Lynn Kinneberg

Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com