Klara Johanna Tuft, known as Clara Toft, long-time resident of Barclay, passed away Aug. 7, 2019, Dryden, Ontario aged 91 years after a long and well lived life.
Born March 12, 1928, Klara was one of seven children born to the Morken family in Manger, Norway where she grew up on the family farm with a love of the mountains, ocean and fishing in the waters off the island.
At twenty-one she began training as an RN in Oslo and stayed in touch with her classmates her entire life. Klara worked as a District Nurse north of Bergen, Norway where she met her husband, Nikolai (Nick) after he injured a hand.
In 1954 Klara and her new husband immigrated to Canada for a little one year adventure that turned into 65 years. They sailed on board the Stavangerfjord to Halifax, travelled by train to Winnipeg and eventually settled in Fort Frances, moving to Dryden in 1956 where they established their construction company. In 1962 they moved their family of daughters – Rita, Marian and Astrid – to the house Klara designed and they built in Barclay. Daughter Ingrid was born 1964. The home was always filled with company who came for the good coffee and a great visit.
Besides working with Nick in the business, Klara maintained extensive vegetable and flower gardens and loved berry picking and preserving food. She knitted and sewed for her family and others, and brought a sense of artistry to everyday life. She raised her four daughters and helped to raise many other children and was there if needed by her grandchildren in Dryden, Winnipeg and Vancouver. There was no trip too far for them. A great believer in education, she encouraged everyone to pursue their particular life interests.
A diligent card and letter writer Klara stayed in touch with friends and family around the world. She was an active member of the dynamic Barclay Women’s Institute, a wonderful group of community minded women who were great friends.
Predeceased by her husband in 1993, she remained in the house in Barclay and was able to continue her walks in the woods, cross country skiing and visiting with her many friends and family until a recent move to Princess Court. She enjoyed many visits from her much adored grandchildren and great-grandchildren, in person and on-line.
Klara is survived by her daughters Rita (Robert), Marian (David), Astrid (Graeme) and Ingrid (Kevin); grandchildren Laura (Shawn), Kate (David), Leslie, Sophia, Tove, Alexandra and Kyle; great-grandchildren Jackson, Olivia and Klara; her brother Olav, sisters Marit and Kjellaug; sister-in-law Alfield, all in Norway, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Nikolai and sisters Henni, Helena and Anna; sisters-in-law Margit, Borghild, Ragna and Henni; brothers-in-law Olav, Harold and Richard, all of Norway. She will be deeply missed by her extensive family in Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the USA and her many good friends, especially Mary Shorrock of Dryden.
Leave a Condolence