Nancy Tofte was born and raised in Duluth. She graduated from Duluth East High School and the University of Minnesota, Duluth with a degree in home economics. She has repeatedly educated herself in the jobs she has done and through continuing courses. She is currently enrolled in the Educational Leadership Master's Program at the University of Minnesota, Mankato.

She has lived in Thief River Falls for over 35 years, where Nancy and her husband John currently own and operate Brodin Comfort Systems, an HVAC business. They raised two children, Heidi and Aaron. They now have three grandchildren.
Involvement in the community has been a large interest in Nancy's life. She is a member and has held offices in the American Association of University Women, the General Federation of Women's Clubs - Zehlian Branch, and Delta Kappa Gamma. She is the first woman to be elected to the Rocksbury Township Board and is a founder of the Northwest Minnesota Women's Fund.

Nancy is also involved in a Home Extension Group, and is a member of the Minnesota Extension Advisory Committee and the Thief River Falls Quilter's Guild. She serves on the Northland Community and Technical College, Custom Training and Continuing Education Advisory Committee. She is also an active member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, where she has served in many capacities.

Nancy is currently involved with the Thief River Falls Early Childhood Coalition and enjoys using her skills and resources to help make their work successful.

Nancy has been employed as the Community Education Director in Thief River Falls since 1998. Under her leadership, projects and programs have been made possible, including a BMX/skate board park, a thriving Little Brother - Little Sister program, an after school program for elementary to middle school kids, and a support and educational program for pregnant teens. Nancy is continually seeking funds or linking volunteers from community organizations to create opportunities.
Previously, as a small business instructor at NCTC, she taught and mentored business owners, assisting them with business plans, proper accounting strategies, tax requirements, and marketing and customer relations.

According to Barbara Jauquet-Kalinoski, Nancy's friend and colleague, Nancy doesn't just work to make a living; she works to help make the community a better place to live. "Nancy deeply cares about the people she works with, no matter what their background or circumstances," said Jauquet-Kalinoski. "She can speak to anyone about anything, making people feel important and special. She moves other people to action by sharing her passion for a project with everyone she meets."

Nancy is the 19th Community Builder recognized by the Northwest Minnesota Women's Fund for helping the region be a place where women and girls share and use their personal strengths, talents and resources; where they are motivated, encouraged and welcomed to utilize their leadership abilities in home, school, work and community.