Jason Robert Tonsfeldt
"Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free. I'm following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call. I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day to laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way. I found that peace at the close of day. If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss. Oh yes, these things I too shall miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow. I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savored much. Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all to brief. Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me. God wanted me know, He set me free."
Jason Robert Tonsfeldt, 39, passed away on April 27, 2024 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Jason was born to James and Robbi (Kay) Tonsfeldt on February 12, 1985 in Omaha, NE. From an early age Jason always showed great love and pride for anything he did in life.
In his early years, Jason found a passion for the Packers, Iowa State, and Boy Scouts. He enjoyed cheering his teams on and exploring the world that Boy Scouts had to offer. Jason was proud to earn his Eagle Scout Rank after making birdhouses for the Cancer Survivor Park in Omaha, NE. Through Boy Scouts, Jason found a love for the outdoors which led him to start volunteering at Schramm State Park at the age of fourteen. This led to a part time jobs with Nebraska Game and Parks at Schramm and Mahoney State Parks. After graduating from the University of Nebraska Omaha, Jason’s goal was to become a park supervisor at a state park somewhere in western Nebraska. Jason took a full-time position at Mahoney State Park and after a couple of years, he became Park Supervisor to his beloved park, Buffalo Bill Ranch in North Platte, NE.
While working his dream job at the Buffalo Bill Ranch, Jason attended the Nebraska Museum Association Conference in Cozad where he met Ali Abler. Their friendship grew over the years and Jason hired her to work at Buffalo Bill Ranch. Eventually Jason “fired her for love” and the two exchanged wedding vows on April 21, 2018. During their courtship they were the proud “parents” of Meghan Ward and their Norwegian exchange daughter Christel Einan.
Jason was always the biggest cheerleader for his family and friends, especially when it came to following their dreams. Jason encouraged Ali to take a job at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park in Lake City, SD. This led him to leave an 18-year career with Nebraska Game and Parks to work for South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks as the park manager at Roy Lake State Park and eventually the Conservation Tech at Fort Sisseton, where his passion for historical restoration can be seen in his work in the buildings and on the grounds. In August of 2019, Jason and Ali became the proud bonus parents of three amazing daughters, Jordis, Jaida, and Stella. Jason took his job as dad very seriously as he encouraged and took pride in everything his “sweeties” did. In March of 2021, Joseph joined their busy household and Jason was excited to have another male in the house.
Jason’s cancer battle started when he was 16 and diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. He spent much of his junior year undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Once treatment was done Jason’s goal was to “live his life again” which he did through hiking, exploring, and enjoying all things around him. On his 20th anniversary of being cancer free, Jason was diagnosed with mastitis melanoma caused by the radiation he received when he was younger. Jason started immunotherapy and began the fight all over again. He always focused on others during treatments. His dream was to see his son grow up and to walk his daughters down the aisle. Jason was asked to be part of a couple of trial medications to help advance cancer treatment and he took on the challenge with the courageous idea that if he could help at least one person with their cancel battle then it was worth everything he was going through. Even after death, Jason continues to think about others and his body will be donated to University of South Dakota to help provide more and better training for healthcare providers.
The world Jason knew
Family milestones in gold, history for context
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