Obituary: Clara Kotiranta Korkala Tefft

Clara Kotiranta Korkala Tefft, 91, of Cloquet left to be with the Lord on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. She was born in Cloquet, the daughter of Martin and Jennie (Berkio) Kotiranta on Nov. 29, 1933. Clara attended Cloquet schools and studied music at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. She was a piano teacher to many (at one time, even 71 students). Clara owned The Olde Depot Inn restaurant in the Fond du Lac neighborhood in Duluth from 1974 to 1996. Later, she worked as a PCA caring for the elderly.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Andrew Korkala; second husband, Bob Tefft; brothers, Allen and Ervin Kotiranta; and her sister, Millie Coleman. She will be missed by her children, Lee (Barb) Korkala, Kathy McMullen, Mitchell Korkala, Warren (Marsha) Korkala, and Kimberly Korkala-Paulson; grandchildren, Wendy (Patrick) Hamilton, Jake Korkala, Christopher McMullen, Danielle (Eric) Moen, Alise (Jake) Novak, and Andrew (Ramina) Clark; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous relatives and friends.

Services in honor of Clara will be held Sunday, Dec. 29, at The Landing Church, 9302 W. Skyline Parkway, Duluth. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. and continue until the 2 p.m. memorial service, followed by refreshments. Inurnment will be held in the spring at Maple Grove Cemetery.

To leave an online condolence, visit http://www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.