Louella "Lou" Toft

Hudson, SD: Louella Jean “Lou” Toft, 78, of Hudson, South Dakota went “home” to her Lord on Monday, May 27, 2019, at her home in Hudson. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 1, at 10:00 AM at Hudson Lutheran Church with son-in-law, Rev. Mark Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Eden Cemetery of Hudson. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Friday, May 31, from 6:00-7:00 PM at Hudson Lutheran Church of Hudson. Following the visitation, a prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM.

   Louella was born to Ed and Erma (Wold) Rau on February 15, 1941 in Hudson, South Dakota. She was baptized, confirmed and married at Hudson Lutheran Church. She attended school in Hudson and graduated in 1959. Lou married Phillip Andrew Toft on June 6, 1959. They lived, worked, and raised their family in Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, Sturgis, Rapid City, and Keystone in South Dakota. Both Lou and Phil worked for Eddie’s Truck Sales in Rapid City from 1979-1999. They returned to Hudson after this, working for Sterling Trucks in Sioux City, Iowa, until Phil’s death of cancer in October 2001.

   Lou devoted the last years of her life to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; doing volunteer work in Hudson; and spending time with her many special friends.

   Lou is survived by her children, Phil Jr. (Rhonda) Toft, Paula (Mark) Johnson, Lorna (Steve) Sundet, and Marc Toft; grandchildren, Eric (Jackie) Toft, Erin (Jon) Castle, Katie Johnson, Rebekah Johnson, Leila Belghiti, Trevan Sundet, Rachel Sundet, Megan Toft, Courtney (Sereyrattanak ”Na”) Chum, and Nathaniel Toft; great-grandchildren, Tommi, Anja, Lilly, Axel, Tycho, Oscar, Arthur, and Kaden; brother, John (Diane) Rau; sister-in-law, Ruth Rau; 11 sisters and brothers by marriage; several nieces and nephews; aunt, Sharon Wold; and many cousins who are as close to her as brothers and sisters.

   Lou was preceded in death by her husband, Phil; 3 brothers, Fred, Robert, and Jim Rau; her parents and grandparents; sister-in-laws, Andrea Toft, and Lorraine Voight; niece, Susan Toft; and many cherished aunts, uncles, and cousins.