Service Schedule

Visitation
Friends may call at the church on Saturday one hour prior to services.

Service
His Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 25, 2020 at the Lutheran Brethren Church in Williston. Pastor Ron Erickson will officiate.

Graveside Service
Interment will be in Hillside Memory Gardens.

Watch the Memorial Service LIVE on Saturday, July 25, at 11:00 AM on our F&S Facebook page - CLICK HERE

Gary Edwin Tofte
May 12, 1947 - May 5, 2020

Place of Birth: Williston, North Dakota
Residence: Williston, North Dakota
Age: 72

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Gary Edwin Tofte was born May 12, 1947 to Edwin and Esther (Gronfur) Tofte in Williston, North Dakota. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior on May 5, 2020. Gary grew up in Williston on the family farm, the eldest of five children, where his parents instilled values of faith, family, and love.

Gary graduated from Williston High School where he made many lifelong friends. He worked with his dad on the family farm and worked for the Department of Transportation until his retirement. He was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Brethren Church.

He spent his retirement years fulfilling his dream of renovating and restoring the family farm. His love of agriculture and firm practice of good land stewardship was evident to all. He traveled with his family and friends to visit many states, with Montana being his favorite. He enjoyed antique guns, classic cars, tractors, horses, archery and gun shooting, hunting and fishing with his friends and brothers-in-law, and spending time outdoors.

Gary was kind hearted, full of joy, and could light up a room. He was a blessing to his community, family, and friends. He made a friend out of everyone he met and would always share with them his gratefulness and love of God and his country. He always encouraged those he loved with his thumbs up, saying, “That was a home run!” He has reached his greatest and final home run. Gary will be missed.

He is survived by his sisters, Connie (Lee) Dittmer, Bev (Ernie) Leonard and Judy (Jeff) Pickar; brother, Rodney (Linda) Tofte; nieces and nephews, Jeff (Lori) Dittmer, Jason (Miranda) Dittmer, Christina (Troy) Olson, Shelly (Bill) Pierce, Trisha (Dustin) Hagen, Mindy (Jayme) Ackerman, Sarah (Chris) Schieve , Ben (Shannon) Pickar and Teri (Kyle) Haskin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Esther Tofte and his nephew, Matt Tofte.

Memorial Contribution

Memorials may be made in Gary’s memory to:

Farm Rescue
P.O. Box 28
Horace, ND 58047
https://farmrescue.org/

or

The Gideons International Processing Center
P.O. Box 97251
Washington, DC 20090-7251
https://www.gideons.org

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Terry Haugen (Williston , ND)
May 5, 2020

Our thoughts and prayers. On behalf of Williston Trinity Christian School.

Glenn and Susan (Williston, ND)
May 5, 2020

Sympathy to Gary’s family. A dear classmate, Gary liked to visit and hear how life was going for everyone. He is Home. Blessings.

Linda & Lyle Stevens (Epping, ND)
May 6, 2020

We are so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. He was a man who loved his Lord, loved life, and loved to visit. We enjoyed running into him and having a nice chat. He will be missed. May God comfort you at this time and may you take peace in knowing he is with the Lord.

Linda and Jim irgens (Horseshoe Bay, Tx)
May 6, 2020

Connie, Bev, Rod and Judy, our thoughts and prayers are with you. So sorry to hear about Gary’s passing. He is with his Lord and Savior.

Mark and Laurie Wrolson (Williston , ND)
May 6, 2020

Gary was a great man and friend .He always was happy to see anyone and he loved to visit and talk about his farm and hunting and shooting his Sharps rifle. He was also a very dedicated Christian Man and loved Jesus very much Gary I'll miss our visits but will look forward to visiting with you in Heaven. God Bless you my friend.

Steve Helstad (Grand Forks, North Dakota)
May 6, 2020

The Tofte Family, sorry to hear of Garys passing. He was in our Class of 1966, was a great guy and liked to visit. He will be missed, RIP Gary

Scott Mendro (Williston, ND)
May 6, 2020

Gary and I met while working at the Family Thrift Center back in 1971. Good friends for 49 years. I will miss him dearly.

Merle Johnson (Steele, ND)
May 7, 2020

My sympathies in the loss of Gary. He was a good friend. I will always remember the times we spent with each other working on getting him "up to speed" on a computer and the many conversations we had. He was always friendly and helpful where ever he could be. And he truly loved God.

Les Schumacher
May 7, 2020

Loved visiting with Gary at our class reunions. Always upbeat and happy and a man of unmatched integrity and compassion. He will be missed.

Bill Thomas (Williston , ND)
May 7, 2020

Gary was a genuinely good person, I never heard him say an unkind word. He and his sister Connie were in our class of 1966 and we shared the same home room. RIP Gary

Lois (Grand Forks, ND)
May 7, 2020

Dear Bev, I am so surprised to read of Gary's death. You and I were just talking about him on the phone not too long ago. Lanny and I send our condolences to the whole Tofte family.

Rick and Mindy Sigvaldsen
May 7, 2020

GT you will be missed.

Rik and Vicki Ostert (Williston , ND)
May 7, 2020

Our Sympathies to all of Gary's family.

Lynn Kjorstad (New Brighton, MN)
May 7, 2020

I met Gary as a sophomore in FFA. He was a senior and made me feel welcome to the organization the first day. He offered me the same welcome every time I ran into him when I would see him in Williston. They say you can never return to your hometown once you leave. Maybe that's true but seeing Gary, and people of his character, always made me feel like I was home. I hope that's what heaven is like and hope to meet Gary there some day.

Jeanne Knudsvig (Williston, North Dakota)
May 7, 2020

Tofte family so sorry for loss of Gary sending prayers for all of you!
Sincere sympathy,
Jeanne

Glenn and Susan (Williston, ND)
May 7, 2020

Happiness sure shows in Gary!

Michael Monger (Gillette, WY)
May 7, 2020

I have many good memories of Gary at GEO Resources. A very kind man with Godly attributes.

Dolly Horob (Williston, ND)
May 8, 2020

ROD AND LINDA,FAMILY
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME. .

Duane and Jeanne Buschta (Williston, ND)
May 8, 2020

So sorry to hear about Gary. We had some fun playing cards with Gary when we were out at Paradise Point. Our sympathy to the family.

Shannon & Lori Rivers (Williston, ND)
May 8, 2020

Rest in Peace, Gary! You were always such a pleasure to see and visit with. I can only imagine God was waiting with his arms wide open when he called you home. Rejoice in your heavenly home and may we meet again some day! Our condolences to your family.

Ken and Bonnie Black (Epping, ND)
May 8, 2020

Sending our love and heartfelt sympathy to the Tofte Family. We have so many fond memories of Gary. He was honest, sincere, had a good sense of humor, and loved to visit! Gary was a man of faith and character, and he will truly be missed by all. May his loving memories comfort you through the days ahead.

Monica Essen Haskin (Williston, ND)
May 8, 2020

May the many memories with Gary help to comfort you at this sad time. He will be missed by so many people. He was a very kind man that knew everyone and he loved Jesus. He is now home with our Heavenly Father and all his loved ones. RIP Gary Tofte

andy sveet (Valley City, ND)
May 8, 2020

Rod and Linda, So sorry to hear of Gary's passing. Gary was a wonderful man and a great friend. I have never met anyone as upbeat as Gary. He had a zest for life unmatched. I will always remember him with that great smile and his enthusiasm. May God bless and comfort you!

Gloria Jordan (Williston, ND)
May 9, 2020

So sorry to hear of Gary's passing. He was a good man. Prayer to his family.

Dave Butler (Williston, ND)
May 9, 2020

Gary was a generous and delightful person who enjoyed and loved all the students over the years at Williston Trinity Christian School. I enjoyed many conversations with him in the office with our students applying for the annual Tofte scholarship. He always demonstrated a sincere love and interest for the success of our students. RIP Gary, honored to have known you here and will see you above again!

Mike Gordon (Renton, Washington)
May 10, 2020

My condolences to Gary's family. I worked with Gary at Family Thrift Center in high school...He was a nice guy and enjoyed talking to him. He will be missed.

Duane Isaacson (Bismarck, ND)
May 11, 2020

I. too, remember Gary as a very positive and encouraging person. He was always willing to share his faith in God and His Savior, Jesus Christ. He made friends with everyone he met. He will truly be missed by everyone who knew him.

Kevin Anderson (Tulsa, Ok)
May 11, 2020

Judy and family,

Will always remember driving past your place on the way to the river. May his memories be with you always.

Craig & Rena Helberg and Family (Williston)
May 13, 2020

Our condolences to the entire Tofte Family. We were saddened to hear of Gary's death. He was a nice fellow, always upbeat and friendly. May the Lord comfort you now and in time to come.

David and Debbie Slais (Epping, ND)
May 13, 2020

Our sympathies to Gary’s family.

Scott & Betty Weir (Seal Beach, CA)
May 14, 2020

Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family with the passing of Cousin Gary. Love, Scott & Betty

Tim, Brittany & Ella Rae Hemstreet (Fullerton, CA)
May 14, 2020

We always enjoyed our time with Gary. He was always full of energy, love and joy. He will be sorely missed and we are grateful for the time we shared. Much love to all of our family during this difficult time.

Scott & Betty Weir (Seal Beach, CA)
May 15, 2020

Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family with the passing of Cousin Gary. Love, Scott & Betty

Heather Lee (Alexandria, VA)
May 15, 2020

My deepest sympathies to the Tofte family. Gary's smile always brightened the room, and he brought joy to so many people's lives. He will be missed.

Charlie??Liz Richards (3404 Waterford drive south, Fargo N Dwe)
May 15, 2020

Our love and prayers are with each of you in your great loss . God must of needed a Great Man Angel to help him with all his people. I remember Gary for his great smile and caring heart. May god keep his arms around you all in this hard time. But you know he having a great time with mom & dad, Matt, with my mom & dad and all his friends & family lots of love and prayers. God Bless each of you! Charlie & Liz

Bonnie Logelin-Meiers (Williston , ND)
May 17, 2020

Tofte Family, I am so sorry for your loss! I knew Gary at DOT. He was a very energetic person and always wanting to chat with you. Gary was one of those special people you meet in your journey through life that leaves an lasting impression??

Tim, Brittany & Ella Rae Hemstreet (Fullerton, CA)
May 20, 2020

Scott & Betty Weir (Seal Beach, CA)
May 20, 2020

Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family with the passing of Cousin Gary. Love, Scott & Betty

Karen Vannatta (Missoula , MT)
May 21, 2020

Gary had a sweet soul! He always stopped to visit with you! A special guy!

Lorna Jones Van de Streek (Brooklyn Park , MN)
May 22, 2020

Connie and family, so sorry for your loss. Gary had a wonderful smile for everyone. It was fun to see him at our last reunion (missed you). Peace to all, may your memories bring you peace??

tim ritter (williston, nd)
May 23, 2020

Tofte Family,So sorry to hear of Gary's passing, just a great guy and good friend.Went to high school together and through the years he would often stop in to the store to chat,Winchesters were usually the topic, specifically the model 1873,his favorite.I will miss him as we all will.God's blessings and peace to you all.

Tim, Brittany & Ella Rae Hemstreet (Fullerton, CA)
May 29, 2020

Tim, Brittany & Ella Rae Hemstreet (Fullerton, CA)
Jun 10, 2020

Les and Marla Bean
Jul 21, 2020

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Tofte family. Gary was a long time friend and school classmate. What a guy Gary was. One of the most sincere guys that I know. He loved to visit and truly was interested in what was going on in your life. So complamentry and loved to laugh. The world be a better place if there were more people like Gary in it. We will all miss Gary. R.I.P. Gary

Tim, Brittany & Ella Rae Hemstreet (Fullerton, CA)
Oct 10, 2020

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