Dr. Reuben J. Tofte, 96, died on March 9, at the Veterans Home in Silver Bay.
Last of an era before roads, power and phones, he was the youngest of seven children born to Cecelia and John Tofte, Norwegian immigrants who founded and settled Tofte, Minnesota in 1893.
He graduated from University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1939. As a dental surgeon in the Coast Guard’s Great Lakes Mobile Unit during World War II, he attained the rank of Lt. Commander. He practiced dentistry in Duluth for 45 years and was the staff dentist at Nopeming Sanitarium.
Dr. Tofte was a member of the Duluth Dental Forum and chaired the Hospital Advisory Association. He was a member of the Kitchi Gammi Club of Duluth.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Lucille; children R. Joel Tofte, Mission Viejo CA; Jon V. Tofte (MaryBeth Nevers), Duluth; Lynn Tofte (Jeffrey Hofslund), Duluth; and grandchildren Josef Nevers Tofte, Providence RI; Alena Nevers Tofte, Cambridge, MA; Heidi Hofslund, Minneapolis; and Annette Hofslund, Duluth.
A private family celebration for a beloved patriarch will be held at a later date in Tofte, Minnesota. Donations can be made to the Tofte Historical Society. Special thanks to the Minnesota Veterans Home staff for wonderful care.
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