Dennis Joel Tollerud, age 90, passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Riverview Hospital in Crookston, Minnesota. He was born June 11, 1934, in rural Gary Minnesota, to Helmer and Mamie (Johnson) Tollerud.
Growing up, he attended rural country schools around Fertile, and Gary High School. Dennis dropped out of high school to work on his family’s farm, later earning his GED while serving in the U.S. Army. Dennis was baptized and confirmed into Sundal Lutheran Church, rural Fertile, and was currently a member of Concordia Lutheran Church of Fertile, Minnesota.
Dennis married Bonnie Stine on August 18, 1956, at Sundal Lutheran Parsonage, and were later blessed with their daughter, Denise Renae.
He entered the U.S. Arm in July of 1957. While serving, he completed Wheel Vehicle Mechanic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Fuel and Electric System Repair training at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. He then worked in the motor pool while stationed in Oahu and Hawaii. He was honorably discharged in June of 1959, with the rank of SP4 E-4.
Dennis worked for local farmers in the Fertile/Gary/Borup communities; Uptown Service Station and Thorkelson and Jacobs Pontiac dealer, both of Fertile; partnered with Marlyn Sandnass at Fertile Auto and Implement; and Polk County Highway Department. In 1969, he gained employment in the Grounds Division of UMC, later transferring to the Agricultural Division as Laboratory Service Coordinator. He retired from UMC June 1, 1996, and was rehired to work several summers in the Grounds Department.
Dennis had a natural talent for mechanics, and was happiest when tinkering, repairing, or restoring something. To state he had a love for automobiles, motorcycles, tractors, or machinery would be an understatement. He traveled many miles with his motorcycle buddies – some trips being to Branson, Missouri; Sturgis, South Dakota; Mackinac Island; the Grand Canyon, and West Coast. However, most miles accumulated just cycling local country roads and enjoying the outdoors. Dennis had a knack for restoring old tractors- John Deer, Ford, Allis Chalmers, Case or Massey, whatever was available and in fairly good condition but needing TLC made for a happy man!
His talents didn’t end with fixing things, he was also a vocalist and banjo player with several bands over the years and enjoyed that second to mechanics.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Bonnie; daughter, Denise and her significant other, Dave Colburn; sister, Sonia Stark; nephew, Dan Stark; Nieces, Carrie Stark, Christy (Nick) Mackaman, and Janet (Ron) Cameron; ex sister-in-law, Norma (Bruce) Erikson; sisters-in-law, Iris (Oris) Moen, Julie (Marvin) Holstad, Sandra (Dale) Cormican; and other nephews and nieces-in-law. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helmer and Mamie Tollerud; brother, Duane Tollerud; father and mother in-law, Lester and Bernice Stine; brothers and sisters in-law, Leslie and Ardell Stine, Gene and Jean Stine, Robert and Kitty Stine; brothers-in-law, Oris Moen, Marvin Holstad, Dale Cormican, and Edsel Johnson.
May God bless the memory of Dennis Tollerud.
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