Peder L. Tollinger

Peder “Pete” Leslie Tollinger, age 82, of Canton, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2024. He spent his final days at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls surrounded by family who thought the world of him.  Private family services will be held.

Pete was born on January 30, 1942, in Piqua, Ohio to Ray J. and Thelma (Haugse) Tollinger. In 1952, Pete and his family moved to Canton where he happily resided until his passing. Pete was a proud and dedicated member of Canton High School’s Class of 1960 and enjoyed organizing and keeping his classmates connected throughout the years. After his graduation from CHS, he attended the University of South Dakota before joining his parents in their photography business. After his father’s sudden passing in 1973, Pete took over the business, and continued to serve the community as a photographer until his retirement in 2005.

Pete’s eye for capturing the beauty of life behind a lens was a defining feature of his career and mirrored that of his personal life. He was always seen with his camera in hand, eager and ready to capture everyone’s special moments while staying behind the scenes. Moments when the lens was down, he found joy and comfort in creating flowerbeds, gardens and landscaping that were always picture perfect and shared with those he loved.

Pete was an active and devoted member of his community. He served as president of the Canton Chamber of Commerce, the Canton-Inwood Ambulance Association, and the South Dakota Professional Photographers Association, where he was also president from 1981-1982. Pete was a 14-year member of the Canton Fire Department and co-chaired the Canton Centennial Celebration. He contributed his time and energy to Catholic Family Services in Sioux Falls, where he served in the ministry to the divorced, widowed, and separated.

Pete had a special way about him. He was never too busy, never wanted to impose, and never needed any credit. He was a Godly man whose presence will be deeply missed by the children and grandchildren who loved him:

Mike (Shelly) Tollinger, Lesli (Jeff) Erickson, and Scott (Kim) Tollinger; grandchildren: Joe (Ashley) Erickson, Sam (Berkley) Erickson, Nick Tollinger, Jack (Rose) Erickson, Abby Tollinger, Kate Tollinger, Josie Tollinger, and Paige Tollinger; and great-grandchildren Finn, Teddy, Hadley & Hudson. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ray J. and Thelma Tollinger and his aunt and uncle, Melvin and Laura Haugse.