Schmidts familietræ (www.sm1.dk)

Rudy Nielsen Tokkesdal, age 79 of Buffalo, MN, passed away Saturday, September 14, 2019. He was born April 17, 1940 in Buffalo Lake, MN, the son of John and Dora (Krueger) Tokkesdal. Rudy was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo Lake, MN. He graduated from Buffalo Lake High School with the class of 1958. After graduating high school, Rudy briefly worked as a farmhand in Albertville and then owned and drove a Standard Oil delivery truck while living in Annandale. In 1961, Rudy worked for Minnesota Rubber for 42 years until his retirement. Rudy an d his family moved to Buffalo in 1962, where he also drove truck part time for Ron Lohse. In 1966, they bought their current house that they reside in today. Rudy met the love of his life, Joyce, at a polka dance. Their first dance was to the Blue Skirt Walz, and any time that song came on during all the dances they enjoyed throughout life, they made sure they always danced that song together. On Ma y 15, 1959, Rudy Tokkesdal and Joyce Mahlstedt were united in marriage at Stockholm Lutheran Church in Cokato, MN. The two were blessed with four children. One of Rudy's greatest passions was old time polka dancing with Joyce. The two would travel all over the US visiting many polka festivals. They enjoyed three trips together to Oktoberfest in Germany and to Denmark to visit the Tokkesdal native ho mestead. Through their love of polka dancing, they met many lifetime friends. After retirement, Rudy and Joyce became “Winter Texans” in Mission, TX for 6 months out of the year. They enjoyed old time music in the valley, and Rudy was the emcee for the Polka Jam Sessions at W & I Park. Rudy enjoyed traveling with Joyce, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, camping, antique shopping, collecting beer cans and beer steins, as well as John Deere Tractors. Rudy had vintage John Deere's restored that he could pass on to his family. Rudy was a dedicated family man, always providing for his family. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren's events and he was very proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Following Joyce's stroke in 2010, Rudy dedicatedly car ed for her until the past few months when his health was ailing. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dora Tokkesdal, John and Annie Tokkesdal; parents-in-law, Max and Marion Mahlstedt; infant daughter, Doris Tokkesdal; grandson, Jarod VonRueden; sister, Esther Schmalz; brother-in-law, Jim Aufderheide; infa nt sister-in-law, Marvel Mahlstedt. Rudy will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 60 years, Joyce Tokkesdal; children, Wayne (Sharon) Tokkesdal of Buffalo, MN, Renee (Peter) VonRueden of Clyman, WI, Randy Tokkesdal of Buffalo, MN; grandchildren, Julie (Nick) Pagano, Jamie Tokkes dal-Harms, John (Laura) Tokkesdal, Jolene (Jesse) Hawes, Aaron VonRueden, Alison Tokkesdal, Jack Tokkesdal; 7 great-grandchildren; sister, Sylvia Aufderheide; siblings-in-law, Marvin Schmalz, Gloria (Dick) Paul, Dennis (Adele) Mahlstedt, Shirle y (Bill) Havisto; and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends. (https://thepetersonchapel.com/rudy-nielsen-tokkesdal/).