Raymond Tonnesen

Raymond Tonnesen, 86, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at his home following an extended illness. He was born in Brooklyn, NY and grew up in Norway. Raymond was a son of the late Andreas and Hjordis Tonnesen, and was also preceded in death by his brother, Arvid Tonnesen. He was a former deacon at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Raymond served in Japan with the Army following WWII. He was a photographer, and a member of the American-Scandinavian Foundation. He worked as a building contractor, and loved visiting Norway.

Survivors include his loving wife of sixty-one years, Sonja Tonnesen of Hendersonville; a daughter, Heidi OíFarrell of South Salem, NY; two granddaughters, Kirsten and Jillian OíFarrell, both of CT; a sister. Else Johnson and her husband Vinnie of Boca Raton, FL; a brother, Torleiv Tonnesen and his wife Arnhild of Delray Beach, FL; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be at 1:00 pm Saturday at Covenant Presbyterian Church with Rev. Don Taws officiating. There will be a reception following the service in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2101 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville, NC 28739 or Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.