Steven Wayne Tollefson
Steven Wayne Tollefson of Lincoln Nebraska, formerly of Mitchell SD, passed away August 18th, 2025 with his wife Nancy by his side. He was under Hospice care for cancer.
Steve was born in Mitchell SD on August 23, 1963 to Herbert L Tollefson and Faye J (Hoelker) Tollefson and was the second of 4 boys. He grew up, attended and graduated school in Mt Vernon SD. He moved to Mitchell and worked in media manufacturing, janitorial and concrete construction.
On September 29, 1984 he married Nancy Jean Block who he always called the love of his life. They moved to Lincoln NE in 1997 where he managed food service for multiple fraternities and sororities. For the last 20 years he was employed by the State of Nebraska Department of Corrections.
He loved to cook. At times, he cooked for a living, and for many years he lent his talent to assisting at Kingdom Hall construction projects in South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas. He could easily cook for 5 or 500 or more.
He was a member of the Bethany Park congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and was baptized in 1984.
He had a unique sense of humor, a generous heart and a beautiful singing voice.
He is survived by Nancy, his wife of almost 41 years; mother Faye Tollefson of Mitchell; brothers Marlyn and wife Paula of Mitchell; and Chris & wife Sarah of South Carolina. He was Uncle Steve to many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Herb Tollefson Sr and twin brother, Herb Tollefson Jr.
A Memorial service will be 3:00 on Saturday, September 6th, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 6800 Pine Lake Rd, Lincoln, NE 68516.
Zoom information: Meeting ID: 896 1575 8483 | Password: Bethany
To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Condolences for Steven Wayne Tollefson
Wishing you peace at this time, I am sorry to hear of your loss
May you fly with the Angels Tolly. Gonna miss you dearly.
Thank you for always being you. Many good memories of you in years past.
Your good deeds will echo for generations, my friend.
I loved walking into Central Warehouse and Steve immediately using a funny accent (I think it was supposed to be Irish!) to greet me and then we’d banter back and forth. I will always remember Veterans Day 2022, when the Penitentiary had just had a large water main break the day before and Steve volunteered to come in on his day off to drive food inside. We decided he needed a helper to avoid two Gator trips, so I came in….and he took such good care of me. He didn’t want me nervous driving the gator or being around the population and was like an older brother to me that day. And, I recall very well how much the inmates appeared to respect him! There will never be anyone quite like him….he had a big heart to go with that big personality! He fought the cancer so gallantly. Rest in peace, dear Steve and my deepest sympathies to you, Nancy, and all the family. Kate
My condolences to the family. I grew up right across the street from Herb and Steve and we graduated in the same class. We went to school from kindergarten until we graduated from high school together . Rest in peace.
Steve you were a pure joy to work with. Thanks for always putting a smile on my face. Rest easy my friend.
Steve, my friend I remember our days at NCCW during your deliveries, such a hard working soul. When our paths crossed again when I was at Central Office, you had that warm friendly smile and conversation. May you have peace and my friend your pain in gone. Till we meet again.
Steve was a funny and kind soul with the biggest heart. I remember you fondly dear cousin. May you be rewarded in heaven with all the love you shared on Earth.
I texted Steve on the evening of Monday the 18th. I had not heard from him in a while and wanted him to know how much I appreciate him. This was my message to him.
“Hey I love you. We may not speak much anymore but you are important to me. And whenever I can help someone i try to do that. Im able to do that because of brothers who helped me up when I was hurting and down. Thank you Steven. You are a good man Im grateful to have known you over the years. I pray good things for you and your family.” Prayers for family and friends.
Steve was a great co-worker and a great friend. If it wasn’t for Steve to make deliveries to LCC canteen and tell me that the warehouse was hiring I would have never came over to the warehouse. Steve always knew when someone had a bad day and he knew how to cheer you up. Steve’s personality was one in a million from his jokes to just making you laugh over something dumb. When Steve was my trainer for driving the deliveries he told me one thing that will stick with me for ever. Never drive to fast and enjoy the small things in life like the beautiful sun rise going to McCook. If you are ever in Holdrege make sure you stop and pick up beef jerky from Fritz’s meat I guess they have great jerky. I never have but maybe one weekend I might just do that remembrances of you Steve. Steve will be missed by so many people when he told us that he had cancer I think that was the first time I seen him cry. When he would talk about Nancy his wife I could see how much he loved her. Love you Steve like a brother and we got it from here rest in peace brother.
I admire Steve for his quick wit, amazing laughter, his ability to say whatever he wanted to say well because he was usually righ, Geez what an amazing man, kind, caring, with a big heart, oh how we’d laugh! I’m so grateful I was able to see him and visit and get some hugs during a retirement visit. What a terrible loss. I’m sure he’s up in heaven cooking up something amazing with his brother, for his family you are his pride and joy
Sending condolences to Nancy and all family members. Steve always had a wit about him, even the last time I talked to Steve he was still upbeat even under the circumstances. Rest in peace Steve
My prayers to Steve’s family. He was a great guy with a great sense of humor. Although we didn’t work together long at NSP. I had known him for a while. He always had kind words and a smile.
I had the honor of knowing Steve though work. He was a driver for CSI and I worked at the Gate he came through when making deliveries at the OCC. Though I didn’t see him often, it was always a pleasure. In fact, he almost always brought me a cream-filled Long John (my favorite) and can of Mountain Dew! He definitely had a great sense of humor and generous heart. As for beautiful singing voice, well, he never serenaded me so I never had the pleasure, lol. But it wouldn’t surprise me. Thoughts and prayers to Steve’s family and friends. Rest assured he’s at peace and probably happily cooking up some scrumptious gourmet delight this very moment! Be blessed 🙂
He loved to joke and told the best jokes ever he brighten everone one at corrections by making us laugh and smile and brighten our day he had the the biggest hugs anyone could give he will be missed ❤️
Dear family of Steve,
Our sincere condolences of the loss of our Steve . We all will miss him a void that only be filled until we see him again in the promised resurrection. He fought his battle with courage and strength with Nancy by his side every minute!
We have so many wonderful memories of him when we took several trips to Duluth and sailed on Lake Superior.
Another good memory was when Nancy & Steve invited us over during a long weekend. They invited several friends over and made special food while we played games and socialized. We even saw Steve’s unique dance moves 😉 Hospitality was always shown eagerly.
Until we hug you again you will be missed by all of us who loved you very much.
Much love,
Dan & Janette ( Tollefson) Block
Our condolences to Steve’s family. Lessie and Charles Schoenfelder
Dearest Nancy and Family
Please know our deepest sympathy and prayers for your broken heart. Now our sleeping loved ones are in Jehovah’s loving memory, no safer place. May Jehovah hold you ever closer Nancy, day by day each closer to when Jehovah puts Steve back in yours.
Nancy, when Jim and I with Louie attended Bethamy with you and Steve, it was so refreshing because Steve’s sense of humor made us all happy. Most of all I loved how when we saw Steve, you were next to him! Nancy that is how I remember you ❤️ TOGETHER united in worship of our Happy God Jehovah. May he comforts you beyond measure as you journey on into “Eternsl Happiness” (2026 Regional theme!)
We love you Nancy, and Jehovah loves ❤️ you even more!
To the Family Of Steve,
We are sad for your loss and pray you can find comfort in Jehovah the “God of all comfort” and in the love of his people.
Steve was loyal to his Creator and a willing worker in his behalf. Always ready with a smile! He will be missed while he resides in Jehovah’s memory.💕
To Nancy and All of Steve’s Family. I will always remember Steve as a very generous and giving person. Always a laugh and a smile, and his singing voice was loud and proud! I never knew him to apologize to anyone for being himself, which was what we loved about him. You always knew Steve was in the room, and you always knew what to expect. Lots of laughs lots of fun but serious too. I’m so sorry I cannot be there in person, we’ll see you soon Steve.
Steve, may you rest in peace. So many great memories. That laugh and sense of humor will not be forgotten. So thankful for my time working for you and Nancy back in the TNT Hobbies era. Thinking of the family at this difficult time.
One of my favorite memories: Back when Steve and Nancy still lived in Mitchell, SD – Steve decided to bake pies . . . He made 12 – 15 pies – All different varieties. Then he invited the entire group assembled for Bible study to their home for refreshment. What an unexpected and enjoyable time we had together eating those delicious pies ! We will miss you so much, Steve. I will be looking forward to that smile and a big bear”bear-hug”, plus hearing your songs of praises to Jehovah once again
Dear Nancy, so sorry to hear about Steve passing away. I always enjoyed the times I was able to be around him, he had a contagious sense of humor
And always seemed so zealous for true worship.
Please be assured of my love and prayers for you and your family.
I know the pain that comes from watching our love one get sicker and sicker, My wife Wanda passed away last October from a prolonged sickness.
Psalms 55:22 helps us to cope and maintain a sense of of peace.
“Throw your burden on Jehovah, and he will sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous to fall.”
AlfredLewis
Thinking of you, Nancy and your family. Sorry for your loss of a good man. My comfort was my husband was no longer suffering. I’m sure you are thinking the same. We have so much to look forward to. In the toughest moments my family was a comfort. Reading Isaiah 41:10 & 12 and meditating on God’s promise to help me truly comforting too. Sincere regards, Evelyn
Nancy and all of the family. We send our love and condolences in Steve’s passing. Enjoyed the time with Steve years back while he was studying and for his sense of humor. He remained faithful to the end and we look forward to greeting him back in the resurrection.
Roger & Geri Goddard