In Loving Memory Of

Courtney Albert Tommeraasen

Courtney (Court) Albert Tommeraasen was born to Albert and Mildred Moscow Tommeraasen on January 7, 1933 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Court grew up in Minneapolis with his family, and attended Washburn High School, graduating in 1950.  Following high school, Court attended the University of Minnesota as an Education Major in English and as a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.  He graduated from the U of MN in 1955 and accepted a job offer at Slayton High School to teach English and Speech.  Court  obtained his Master of Arts degree in Speech Communications in 1973.  Later, Court obtained a degree in Library Science at Mankato State University.

Throughout his teaching career at Slayton High School, Court directed plays, musicals, and one-act plays.  He loved to engage and challenge his students, encouraging them to grow as individuals.  Court was also a Minnesota Teacher of the Year Finalist in 1971, and received the Outstanding Educator Alumni Award from the University of Minnesota the following year.  In 1966-1967, Court became a Fulbright Scholar as an exchange teacher to Norway, teaching American literature to senior high school students.  Court retired from teaching, after 40 years, in 1995.

Court married Karen (Pierson) Tommeraasen on February 17, 1962.  They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2012.  Court and Karen had two children, Erik Bjorn Tommeraasen (deceased 2008) and Karna Inger Tommeraasen (Phoenix, Arizona), whom they raised in Slayton.

Court was an active member of Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton.  He was a member of the choir, church council, and Southwest Minnesota ELCA Synod Candidacy Committee.  He had been President of the congregation at the time of his passing.  Court was also a member of Slayton’s chapter of Kiwanis, where he had been President and Vice President in past years.

Court was a lover and appreciator of reading, music, golf, gardening, theatre and the arts.  Court was also a member of the Slayton Alcoholics Anonymous group, served as a lay minister/pulpit supply, and volunteered as a hospital chaplain at Murray County Medical Center.  Court was a unique man who taught others even after retiring from Slayton High School.  He was a mentor to many and loved to help those in need.

Court passed away on Saturday, June 30, 2012 with his loving family at his side, at Our House hospice home in Slayton after suffering from a stroke.   He is survived by his wife, Karen (Pierson) Tommeraasen, his daughter, Karna Tommeraasen (Phoenix, Arizona); two grandsons, Caleb Ruppert and his wife, Emily (Seattle, WA) and Craig Tommeraasen (Granite Falls, MN).  He also has a brother, Merle Tommeraasen (Bloomington, MN).

Court is preceded in death by his beloved son, Erik Tommeraasen; sister, Millie Tommeraasen Johnson; parents, Albert and Mildred (Moscow) Tommeraasen; niece, Susan Engebretson.

Celebration of Life Service will be led by Pastor Ted Kunze at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton, Minnesota on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.  Internment will be held at Slayton Memorial Gardens, Slayton, MN.

Pallbearers include Tom Andrews, Orv Greime, Earl Halverson, Jon Hoyme, Jerry Klein, Jake Konkol, Wally Scott, Clayton Torbert and Steve Willers.  
Special Music by Paul Engebretson and Jim Smith; Nikki Cheskie and Heidi Winter.  The organist is Pat Onken.

Visitation will be on Monday, July 2, 2012 at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton from 4-7 p.m and also one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday.