Anthony "Tony" J. Tolksdorf, 84, of Minden, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at CHI Health – Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. A celebration of life open house will be held from noon to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at The Windmill Studios, 521 N Colorado Avenue, in Minden. Tony requested his body be donated to Creighton University Medical Center for the advancement of science. Memorials in Tony's honor are kindly suggested to the Kearney County Health Services Foundation or to the Minden Volunteer Fire Department. Craig Funeral Home is assisting the family. Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .

Anthony Joseph Tolksdorf was born on September 14, 1938 in rural Roseland, NE to Frank and Martha (Grams) Tolksdorf. He grew up on the family farm, just northeast of Roseland. Even on the days he decided he would rather stay at the farm, his school-mates would see to it that he got on the bus. Tony graduated from Roseland High School in May of 1956, and then attended 2 years of college at Kearney State College. He was a member of the Roseland Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where he was baptized and confirmed.

Tony was united in marriage to Janet Ilene Talbert on October 7, 1961 in Kearney, NE and to this union 3 children were born: Rebecca, Cheryl and Samantha. The family made their home in Minden. Tony joined the Army National Guard in April of 1962 and served in active duty for 6 months. He continued in the guards as a primary AFSC First Cook and secondary as Senior Welder. He was honorably discharged on February 11, 1977.

Tony was well known for his appliance repair knowledge. He worked for L&W Service Center as an appliance repair specialist from 1960 to 1977, he then began work at Ben Franklin Appliance in Minden, until 1981. Tony decided to open his own appliance repair company that he owned and operated until 2003, while he was also working as a maintenance engineer at Kearney County Health Services in Minden. In 2004, he began working at Russell's Appliance in Kearney, where he was employed until his passing.

He enjoyed reading, as well as building layouts and designing buildings and landscapes for model trains. Tony loved helping others and sharing his knowledge of many of his passions, which included: gardening, wood working, oil painting, and repairing most anything but especially appliances.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Janet of Minden; daughters and their families, Rebecca (Mike) Lampshire and children, Aaron, Evan (Abby) and Quinn Lampshire; Cheryl (David) Mroczek and children, Sydney (Tony) Kobza, Adam (Anne) Mroczek, Molly (Dustin) Mertz, and Cassandra Olson; Samantha (Jon) Beckstead and children, Taylor (Coryn) Beckstead , Rachel (Derek) Hines, and Hannah Beckstead; 19 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Margaret (Bill) Bunger; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended relatives and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Helen Christine Tolksdorf, and Mary Helen Tolksdorf; brother-in-law, Tim Talbert; and sister-in-law, Diana Hill.

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .