Anna (Klimpel) Tofstad, 85

Thief River Falls – It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Anna Marie Tofstad on September 16, 2024, at the age of 85. Anna was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and recently a great-great-grandmother, who touched the lives of many with her kindness, generosity, and unwavering spirit.
Anna was born on March 10, 1939, at Trinity Hospital in Minot, ND, to Clarence and Emma (Burkle) Klimpel. She was raised on a farm in Ward County in Sawyer, North Dakota, where she developed a strong work ethic and a love for the land. Anna was baptized and confirmed at Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church in Sawyer, North Dakota. Anna attended grade school and high school in Sawyer, ND, graduating in May 1957.
On December 8, 1957, she married the love of her life, LaVern Tofstad at Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church in Sawyer, North Dakota. She was blessed with a loving and devoted partnership with LaVern, for 67 wonderful years. Their enduring love and commitment to each other were an inspiration to all who knew them, and together, they raised eight children: Lyle, Lonnie (Gayle), Leslie (Kim), Lori (Jack) Rominski, Larry (Brenda), Lynette (Craig) Espeseth, LeAnn (Rod) Nichols, and Lynnae Gaiter.
The family lived and worked on LaVern’s parents’ farm in Max, ND, until 1969, when they moved to McIntosh, to start a dairy farm, which they loved doing for several years. Later, they moved into town and bought and owned the BB Cafe, where Anna’s culinary skills continued to bring joy to many.
When they retired, Anna and LaVern moved to Arizona for a few years, then to Las Vegas, where Anna worked at Albertsons. After her second retirement, they moved back to Thief River Falls.
Anna lived a life full of love and dedication to her family and community. She was known for her warm smile, her passion for gardening, and her incredible talent in the kitchen, where she often brought people together with her delicious meals. Anna loved doing jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, sewing, and just enjoying the beautiful outdoors with her plants and gardens.
Anna is survived by her loving husband, LaVern Tofstad, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, along with her brother Vernon Klimpel, her sister Linda Schlosser (Eldon), her sister in-laws, Vera (Terry) and Julie (Terry) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Emma Klimpel and parents in-law Theodore and Edna Tofstad, sister Leona Johnson, and her sister in-laws, LaVonne, Jean, Carol and brother in-law Ronnie. She will be remembered for her strength, her compassion, and the countless memories she created with those she loved.