Jim Tollfeldt, 65, of Mesa, AZ and Desert Aire, WA, formerly of Redmond and Kirkland, WA areas, died Sunday, March 11, 2018 in Mesa, AZ. He passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family and friends.

James Harold Tollfeldt was born June 11, 1952 in Seattle, WA. He graduated from Redmond High School and Lake Washington Vocational Tech School. Jim met Johanna, the love of his life in 1986. They were married on August 17, 1996.

Jim contracted polio at 2 years old and was hospitalized at Children’s Orthopedic Hospital for 6 months. When he was 7 years old he was the March of Dimes poster child. In 7th grade he hung up his crutches and diligently walked on his own for the rest of his life. Jim was a boilermaker and metal fabricator in the Seattle area and was well known within the union for his expertise. After retirement from the union, Jim fulfilled a dream by teaching welding at Wahluke High School in Mattawa, WA. The young people he mentored at Wahluke continue to be his good friends to this day. Jim’s passions included salmon and trout fishing, bird hunting, and golfing. He was successful in all.

Jim was a kind and generous man who cared about everyone and enjoyed the company of family and friends. We miss his brilliant blue eyes and the sparkle in them when he smiled.

He is survived by his wife Johanna, daughters Erika and Becky Tollfeldt and Monika Malone, stepchildren James (Elizabeth) McGrath, Tarra Crouch and Ty (Liane) Perkins, brothers Mark, Eric (Jackie Jemison), and David (Claire) Tollfeldt, sister Kathryn (Jim) Apolito, 10 grandchildren and countless friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Harvey and Anne Tollfeldt.

Memorial services will be held: 2:00 PM Saturday, April 7, 2018, Faith Lutheran Church, Redmond, WA and 1:00 PM Saturday, April 14, 2018 Senior Center, Desert Aire, WA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to either Seattle Children’s Hospital, the March of Dimes in Seattle, or Mayo Clinic, Arizona.