John W. Tobolt

John W. Tobolt, 73, Moorhead, MN, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, February 4, 2015.
John William Tobolt was born on February 19, 1941, at St. John’s Hospital in Fargo. He grew up in Moorhead, graduating from Moorhead High School in 1958. He attended North Dakota State University in Fargo and graduated from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis with his B.A. in Business.
John returned to Moorhead where and he and his father farmed together and also operated Tobolt Seed. John continued this all his life, farming with his sons Scott and Steve. Scott died on August 23, 2003. As John transitioned toward retirement, Steve took over the operation of the farm and the seed business.
John married Mary Softing on May 2, 1969 and they made their home next to the farm.
He loved the farm and everything about it, receiving the Premier Seedsman Award from the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association in 2011. He also loved to hunt and fish and be at the lake on East Spirit Lake, near Vergas, where he was able to enjoy his man cave and carved Bear collection. He was also very involved in Moorhead Youth Hockey.
John is survived by his wife, Mary, Moorhead, MN; son Steve Tobolt, Moorhead, MN; and daughter Kim Matt Gilbertson, Moorhead, MN; three grandchildren Ashlyn, Tate and Ava; two sisters, Judy Jerry Hawton, New Brighton, MN, and Jean Denny Hawton, Redwood Falls, MN; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his son, Scott Tobolt.
Visitation: Monday, February 9, 2015, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead.
Funeral: Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at 10:30 A.M., with visitation for one hour before, in The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead, MN.
Interment: Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.