Date of Birth:
Saturday, July 12, 1930
Date of Death:
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Age:
91 years old

Harris “Hat” Arthur Tollefsrud

Harris Arthur Tollefsrud passed away of natural causes at home surrounded by loved ones October 17, 2021. Born July 12, 1930, in Spring Grove, MN to Henry and Alvina Lien Tollefsrud, Harris attended Newhouse country school and graduated from Spring Grove High School in 1947. On September 9, 1951, he married Margaret Maxine Overhaug at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church in northeast Iowa. They lived in Spring Grove until 1956, when they and their two young sons moved to Garden Grove, California. Harris was employed at Arrowhead Venetian Blinds and was promoted to manager. They moved back to Rochester in 1964, where Harris and his brother, Roger, opened Rochester Linoleum & Paint. In 1969, Harris bought out his brother’s interest, renamed the store Rochester Paint & Deco Center and focused his business on custom window coverings including blinds, shades and shutters. He retired in 1998, after 35 years in business.

Harris took great pride in craftsmanship which was reflected in the decorative roller shades and wood cornices he made. He liked to be the first retailer to offer new products such as woven wood shades in the 1980s, cellular shades and shutters in the 1990s. Harris also had a repair business which provided full service to his customers. Harris’s business was successful over the years because of loyal customers who relied on his expertise.

Harris had a passion for bowling and began league bowling in 1945, while in high school in Spring Grove. He bowled during years in California, and continued when he moved back to Rochester in 1964. Harris sponsored bowling teams as a business owner and bowled in leagues at Cascade, Tropic, Rec Center and Bowlocity. From 1995-2020, he bowled in the Southeast MN Senior Traveling League. In 2020, Harris was inducted into the Southeast MN USBC Bowling Association Hall of Fame for being a leading pioneer in the sport of bowling. Harris also enjoyed the comaraderie of golf with friends and played many of the beautiful courses in southeastern Minnesota.

Harris is survived by two sons, DeWaine (Jane) of Kea’au, Hawaii, Dean (Andrea Tolle) of Chatfield; three grandchildren, Erik (Erin), Katrina (Amy), and Zoe (Jake); and one great grandchild, Freya; Diana, mother of Erik & Katrina; two brothers, Roger (Sadie Luttio), Spring Grove, Verdayne (Mel) (Linda) Rochester; four sisters, JoAnn (Glen) Unkrich, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jan Nelson, Dodge Center, Marilyn Richtmyer, Huntington Beach, CA, Muriel Holliday, Rochester; and longtime close friend, Maryette Braithwaite. He was preceded in death by Margaret, wife of 54 years; infant son, Dennis; brother, Odell; infant sister, Glenda Mae; and his parents, Henry and Alvina Tollefsrud.

Visitation and celebration of life will be held from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 30, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice.