George Tonolli

Published 12:00 am Monday, November 23, 2009

George Tonolli, 89, of Blooming Prairie died Friday, Nov. 20, 2009 at St. Marys Hospital, Rochester.

George Porter Tonolli was born July 22, 1920 in Cumberland, Wis. to Hugo Virgil and Nelle Belle (Porter) Tonolli. He attended several schools in Wisconsin and graduated from Blooming Prairie High School. He married Stacia Marie Dahl on Nov. 25, 1940 in Northwood, Iowa. George worked on the Alcan Highway before entering military service. George and Stacia lived their married life in Blooming Prairie. George and Stacia owned and operated Johnson OK Hardware until their retirement in 1988. George was an active member of First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie and was a long time member of the Lions Club of Blooming Prairie. He was also a member of Blooming Prairie Country Club, Servicemen’s Club, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. George and Stacia enjoyed winters in Florida and loved to travel, including trips to Alaska and Europe. George loved to read, enjoyed recordkeeping, and followed Blooming Prairie Blossoms sports events. In his younger days he was also a very good baseball player. George was active in his church and community and was the patriarch of his extended family. He was loved and respected by his children and grandchildren and will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

He is survived by daughters, Karen (Robert) Antonovich, Minnetonka, Colleen (Art) Musselman, New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; sons, Paul Tonolli, Burnsville, David (Kathy) Tonolli, Northfield, Robert (Linda) Tonolli, Bismarck, N.D.; 11 grandchildren, Ryan (Carmen) Tonolli, Chad (Christine) Tonolli, Kim Antonovich, Stacy Antonovich, David (Kim) Antonovich, Anjie (Tac) Coplin, Kara Tonolli, Mark Tonolli, Anne Tonolli, Bill Tonolli, John Tonolli; four great-grandchildren, Booker Coplin, Jaley Coplin, Alex Tonolli, Sofia Tonolli; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Rosemary Dahl, Manly, Iowa, Muriel Dahl, Austin, Elaine Tonolli, Edina, Arlys (Gaylen) Severson, Bloomington, Aretta Dahl, Richmond, Va., Richard (Shirley) Dahl of Owatonna; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009, at First Lutheran Church, Blooming Prairie with the Rev. Charles Leonard and the Rev. Heidi Heimgrartner officiating. Friends may call at the Worlein-Blooming Prairie Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and at the church one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Interment will be in the Blooming Prairie Cemetery. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #878 and the American Legion Post #52 escort are in charge of military rites. Casketbearers will be Ryan Tonolli, Chad Tonolli, Mark Tonolli, David Antonovich, Bill Tonolli, John Tonolli.