Service: Private family services will be held.
Peder “Pete” Leslie Tollinger, age 82, of Canton, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2024. He spent his final days at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls surrounded by family who thought the world of him. Private family services will be held.
Pete was born on January 30, 1942, in Piqua, Ohio to Ray J. and Thelma (Haugse) Tollinger. In 1952, Pete and his family moved to Canton where he happily resided until his passing. Pete was a proud and dedicated member of Canton High School’s Class of 1960 and enjoyed organizing and keeping his classmates connected throughout the years. After his graduation from CHS, he attended the University of South Dakota before joining his parents in their photography business. After his father’s sudden passing in 1973, Pete took over the business, and continued to serve the community as a photographer until his retirement in 2005.
Pete’s eye for capturing the beauty of life behind a lens was a defining feature of his career and mirrored that of his personal life. He was always seen with his camera in hand, eager and ready to capture everyone’s special moments while staying behind the scenes. Moments when the lens was down, he found joy and comfort in creating flowerbeds, gardens and landscaping that were always picture perfect and shared with those he loved.
Pete was an active and devoted member of his community. He served as president of the Canton Chamber of Commerce, the Canton-Inwood Ambulance Association, and the South Dakota Professional Photographers Association, where he was also president from 1981-1982. Pete was a 14-year member of the Canton Fire Department and co-chaired the Canton Centennial Celebration. He contributed his time and energy to Catholic Family Services in Sioux Falls, where he served in the ministry to the divorced, widowed, and separated.
Pete had a special way about him. He was never too busy, never wanted to impose, and never needed any credit. He was a Godly man whose presence will be deeply missed by the children and grandchildren who loved him:
Mike (Shelly) Tollinger, Lesli (Jeff) Erickson, and Scott (Kim) Tollinger; grandchildren: Joe (Ashley) Erickson, Sam (Berkley) Erickson, Nick Tollinger, Jack (Rose) Erickson, Abby Tollinger, Kate Tollinger, Josie Tollinger, and Paige Tollinger; and great-grandchildren Finn, Teddy, Hadley & Hudson. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ray J. and Thelma Tollinger and his aunt and uncle, Melvin and Laura Haugse.
So sorry for your loss. Pete was a wonderful friend and one of Gods servants. He was dedicated to Be and the DWS support group. He was the best. Loved by many.
Pete and I met through support group and Beginning Experience. We had fun adventures especially our time at the International Beginning Experience convention in New Orleans. He sent me a card once for a special friend and he was indeed that. I have the card framed and it has been on my wall for many years. He will never be forgotten. I wish his family many special memories.
I have many photos in my home taken by Pete, he, along with his Mom, took our wedding pictures. I have portraits of each of my two daughters he took along with their wedding pictures too. He was the best and always so nice to everyone.
Pete & I were co-leaders for BE.
He was a great leader, compassionate reaching out to others experiencing loss.
Sympathy for his family.
to family of Pete so sorry to hear about your loss. Hugs and prayers Mac and Carol McEntee
So sorry Tollingers. What a great person he was. May he rest in peace.
Mike, Lesli, & Scott I am sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I have fond memories of his visits to the “Garden” for many years God bless you & your families
Dear family Tollinger,
so sorry to hear about the loss of Pete. We met Pete, and most of you, back in 2016 when we visited Jack’s & Rose’s graduation from Murray County High School. Pete made such lovely photo’s at Jack’s party and the one from us together with our daughter Rose still has a great place in our home in Holland!
Pete was, not only such a good granddad for Jack, but Rose always enjoyed when Pete was around. The same is what we heard from Anna, our other daughter who also went to South Dakota for an exchange year. Anna always felt very welcome in the Tollinger family and was very fond of Pete.
We met Pete last year at the birthday party of Teddy and Hadley and again experienced him as a very warm and lovely person.
Wish you all the strength needed and may Pete rest in peace. Annette & Gertjan