John Tollakson

John Anthony Tollakson, 82, passed away on Friday, April 21, 2023, at the Sheridan Memorial Hospital in Sheridan, WY.

John was born November 21, 1940, in Sioux Rapids, Iowa to Paul and Alma (Knutson) Tollakson.  Growing up in Sioux Rapids, he worked at the local grocery store and participated in every sport possible before graduating from Sioux Rapids High School in 1958.  Although small in size, his athleticism and grit earned him a football scholarship to Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, where from 1958-1962 he played halfback and punted, earning the nickname “Tolly the Toe” before being recognized as the team’s most valuable player in his senior year.  He graduated from Morningside in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in education.  While attending Morningside, he looked through a yearbook from Sioux City East High where he first saw Ruthie Scholes, who at the time was a senior in high school.  Despite never meeting her, he promptly declared that he would marry “that girl.”  There have never been more prophetic words as on August 5, 1962, he did just that, loving her to his final breath, a lasting relationship of 60 years and 9 months.  He always referred to Ruthie as his bride and treated her as a beautiful example of unconditional love, always putting her before any other earthly things.  In 1969, the couple was blessed with a son, John Edward, and their daughter Jennifer Leigh arrived in 1972.

After earning his bachelor’s degree and marrying Ruthie, John taught history and coached sports for Wayne, Nebraska Public Schools.  He completed a Master of Education degree at Wayne State Teachers College, after which life took him and Ruthie to DuBuque, Iowa, where he taught at Hempstead High School.  He continued his education while teaching at a campus school for the University of Iowa in Iowa City and graduated in 1974 with a Ph.D. in Physical Education.  He taught for the University of Cincinnati from 1974-1976 before he accepted a position with the University of Wyoming in Sheridan, Wyoming.  For the next 33 years, he would work for the University of Wyoming as the Academic Coordinator for the northeast region of Wyoming. This saw him oversee 100s of student teachers, advise countless students, and impact the lives of many throughout the region.  He retired from the workforce in 2009.

As a husband and father, John loved traveling with the family, a favorite destination being Orcas Island, Washington, where they spent many weeks staying in a family cabin on the beach.  John supported his children in their endeavors and could always be found on the sidelines of track meets, cross-country meets, and near the dirt bike tracks.  As a lover of sports, he played noon ball at the YMCA for years, played softball until he was 60, and as he aged, transitioned to pickleball, which he played well into his 70s.  He “adopted” many grandchildren and attended musicals, concerts, baseball, football, and soccer games regularly and was a fixture at Sheridan High School sports competitions.  He had a tremendous sense of humor and loved music of almost every type, from hymns to classical to Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson.

John served on many boards and in many capacities through the years, playing an active role in the ongoing ministries at First Baptist Church.  He served as Treasurer for Camp Bethel for over 30 years.  John was confident in his salvation, knowing he was redeemed through his faith in Jesus Christ, a free and eternal gift promised to all who believed.  He lived his life in the same generous way, frequently helping out others in need, expecting nothing in return.  He always said, “It’s only money” and helped anyone he could.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Doris Ofstun. He is survived by his wife Ruthie, son John (Dawn); daughter Jennifer Doolin (Tim), and 1 dearly loved grandchild, John Benjamin Tollakson, and a host of other “adopted” grandchildren, but especially Megan, Annie, Erin, and Larissa Hoffmann, whose “real” grandparents graciously shared them with John and Ruthie.

In lieu of flowers, please keep John’s generosity alive with a donation in his name to Camp Bethel.  Gifts can be sent to Camp Bethel, 1710 US-14E, Shell, WY 82441.

A Celebration of Life is at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, May 12, 2023,  at First Baptist Church with Pastor Chad Cowen officiating. Online condolences may be made to www.sheridanfuneral.com. Arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.