James Lee Tollefson, of Maryville, MO passed from this life on January 13, 2022, at his home. James was born in Clearwater, MN. on June 21, 1941, to Henry and Carol (Erie) Tollefson. He married Betty Mullins in Fillmore, MO on June 21, 1986, and she survives of the home.

James moved to the St Joseph area in 1962 and he worked for Peach Tree Doors, McChesney Inc, then retired in 2011 from Federal Housing Maintenance.  James enjoyed fishing, tinkering with antique tractors, caring for wildlife food plots, and the breading of exotic chickens.

He is survived by his wife, sons; Paul Tollefson of Savannah and Wayne (Donna) Tollefson of Savannah; stepsons, Victor Neiderhauser of Fillmore, MO and Vincent Neiderhauser of Sparta, MO; daughter Tina Slay of Savannah; stepdaughters, Virginia (Donald) DeBoard of Independence, MO, and Vanessa (Justin) Armstrong of Maryville, MO; 22 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; sister, Barbara Raad of Bagley, MN.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Duane Tollefson; two sisters, Mavis Heinecke, and Dianne Pederson, grandson Parker Tollefson, and granddaughter Emily Hope Greene.

Memorial Visitation will be from 10:00am-12:00pm Thursday, January 20, 2022, at Breit-Hawkins Funeral Home, Savannah MO. Inurnment will be in Our Saviors Lutheran Cemetery, Begley, MN, at a later date.  Memorial contributions can be made to Our Saviors Lutheran Church and Cemetery, Bagley, MN.  Arrangements under the direction of Breit- Hawkins Funeral Home, Savannah, MO.

Due to the current COVID restrictions, masks will be of your personal preference.