Anna Marie (Brodersen) Tolk was born October 20, 1923, in Moody County, South Dakota, to John and Lena (Erickson) Brodersen. John and Lena also raised two of Ann's cousins, Virgil and Russell Erickson. Russell was killed in France during World War II. Ann's younger brother, Alonzo (Ole) died in an accident in the 1960s. Virgil died in the 1990s.

Ann attended country schools in Moody County before graduating from Flandreau High School. She attended beauty school in Sioux Falls and was actively involved as a beautician throughout her entire life, either in a shop in Elkton or in her own home.

Ann married Leonard Tolk in Moody County on February 14, 1946, in a double wedding ceremony. They were involved in farming for nearly all their married life. Leonard died September 26, 2004.

Ann was a long time member of the United Church of Christ and was a part of a Bible study group for many years. She was involved in various women's clubs during her life.

Ann and Leonard had six children, three of whom survive: Jack (Linda) Tolk of Lake Poinsett; Terry (Bonnie) Tolk of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota; and Rhonda (Jay) Hodge of Thousand Oaks, California; five grandchildren: Colby (Kayla) Tolk, Dana (Cary) Tolk, Teri Tolk; Jason (Jenna) Hodge, and Karie Hodge; great-grandchildren: Zachariah (Nicole) Tolk, Nicholas (Sabrina) Tolk, and Bjorn; Nolan and Wyatt Tonne; a great-great-granddaughter, Lenora Tolk; and a special cousin, Evelyn Brodersen Luddeke, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was preceded in death by two sons, Kirby in 1988, Leonard in 2009, and daughter LeAnn in 2010.