Ronald William Tollefson

Ronald William Tollefson, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and public servant, passed away in Vernal, Utah on August 9, 2024. He was 77. Ron was born on November 11, 1946, in Glasgow, Montana to Veva Marett and William Tollefson. He lived in Saco, Montana until his family moved to Duchesne, Utah when he was 12. He met Mary Jeanne Merrill when her family moved to Duchesne, Utah during their junior year. They became high school sweethearts. She moved to Snowflake, Arizona for her senior year but they stayed in touch that year and the next two years while he served an LDS mission in Norway. They rekindled their relationship when Ron returned from Norway and enrolled at BYU. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 16, 1968, and enjoyed 55 years together. They both graduated from BYU and soon thereafter moved to Phoenix, Arizona where Ron attended the police academy. They moved back to Utah where Ron began his law enforcement career- first in Duchesne then in Provo- and they began their favorite occupation- raising their children (Derrik and Sonja had come along by then). They moved to Vernal, Utah in 1984 when Ron accepted a position with the Juvenile Court. There they lovingly continued raising their five children (Kristin, Kari, and Rhonda had also joined the family) and then started spoiling grandchildren when they came along. Ron retired after a 30+ year career in public service, the bulk of which was spent with the Juvenile Court. He was a "people person" to his core. He had a gift for conversation and making others feel loved and important. He was devoted to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved supporting them in any way possible. He was a talented basketball player in his younger years, receiving several awards during his high school career. His passion for sports continued throughout his life; he especially enjoyed Uintah High School and BYU sports. He and his children and grandchildren often attended games and especially enjoyed going to the 3A or 4A Utah state basketball tournament every year (for more than 30 years). Ron loved the Uintah Basin and served on several community boards including for the Recreation District and Northeastern Counseling. He enjoyed serving others and was usually the first to show up and the last to leave. He served faithfully in his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He held numerous church callings but loved working with the youth and doing his home teaching/ministering the most. He was a friend to all, including the many canine friends he had over the years. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed. Ron is preceded in death by his parents and sweetheart, Mary Jeanne. He is survived by his five children, Derrik Tollefson (Cassie), Sonja Delaney (Brian), Kristin Young (Jeramie), Kari Hatch (Cloyd Jr.), and Rhonda McKenna (Kyle), 11 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and by his beloved sister, Pam Peterson and brother, Bruce Tollefson. Funeral services will be held on August 19, 2024, at 1pm at the Glines 3rd Ward chapel at 475 West 100 South in Vernal, UT. A visitation for friends and family will be held Sunday August 18, from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home located at 410 N. 800 W. in Vernal, UT, and at the church before the funeral from 11:45-12:45 am. Interment will be at the Rock Point Cemetery in Maeser, UT under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home. Please attend a high school game instead of sending flowers.

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