Olivia Efteland

Olivia Corinne "Corky" Efteland, 97 of North Oaks.

Our much-loved Corky passed away February 25, 2021. Preceded in death by parents, Louis and Amy Moline, husband, Myles, MD, brothers, Carl and Kenneth, stillborn grandson, Benjamin and daughter-in-law, Soky. Former teacher and Lutheran missionary to Taiwan, she was a devoted Christian who adored her family and friends. Survived by children: George Efteland, David (Brenda) Efteland, Marj (Mark) Slotvig and Marcia (Laurent) Martini, grandchildren: Matthew (Alissa), Clare (Jeramy), Elizabeth, Christina, Johnathan, Marjory (Pierre), Meghann (Mathieu), Emma and Kallie plus great-grandchildren: Tobias, Gabrielle and Hugo, as well as brother Vernon( Beverly) Moline and many beloved relatives. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers. Visitation, Tuesday April 20 from 5-8 PM at Miller Funeral Home, 6210 HWY 65 NE, Fridley. Celebration of Life at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, 8211 Red Oak Drive, St Paul 55112 on Wednesday, April 21 at 11:00 AM with a visitation one hour prior.

Olivia Corinne “Corky” Efteland was born July, 11,1923 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  She grew up with her three younger brothers in a home built by their maternal grandfather, adjacent to Powderhorn Park. After graduating from Central High School she attended LBI (Lutheran Bible Institute) and Augsburg College before a year long teaching adventure in Scobey, Montana at a one-room school house. Encouraged by a mentor to complete her teaching degree, “Miss Moline” was off to Concordia in Moorhead. Divine destiny led her to a mission-minded, pre-med student—Myles Efteland from Erskine, Minnesota. They continued their courtship while she taught in Fertile, Minnesota and he attended Northwestern Medical School in Chicago. Wedding bells rang August 11, 1950 following a short engagement. They lived in Chicago, St. Paul and Karlstad while Myles completed his medical training and a baby was born in each location; George (1952), David (1955), and Marjory (1959). They also lived in New Haven, Connecticut to study Mandarin Chinese. In 1959 they sailed to Taiwan for five years of missionary service with the Lutheran Church.  While living there they had to adjust to a new baby, Marcia (1961), sending their young boys to boarding school, welcoming Myles’ mother Gyda who was having health issues and going through an earthquake. When the family settled back in Minnesota in 1964 they lived in south Minneapolis for three years across from Pearl Park on East 53rd St., Mounds View for five years on Sunnyside Rd. and North Oaks for forty years on Lake Gilfillan where Myles died in 2005 just one week after they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. Corky stayed involved in ministries after being overseas. At Abiding Savior she loved Bible Studies, being on the Missionary for the Summer Committee and helping find speakers for Mission Sundays. She was also a treasurer for the Lutheran Literature Society for the Chinese, supported World Mission Prayer League and God’s Royal Family Fellowship and loved to host “China Gatherings” for former missionaries at her home. She was devoted to relatives and friends and stayed connected the “old-fashioned” way with lots of letter writing and phone calls. Family road trips often involved visits to loved ones. One memorable trip involved camping in the Montana mountains with dear friends from medical school days and their children. An added blessing the last few years were “Moline Reunions” held here in the Twin Cities. Corky relished the chance to catch up with her brother and sister-in-law and many cherished nieces and nephews. Family gave her great joy and she welcomed each new member--daughter and son in-laws, grand and great grandchildren (see obituary) with open arms and a loving heart.  Her favorite times were when family members were able to come over or better yet, sleep under the same roof.  She also had many happy times with her children and their families in Eagan, Minneapolis, Shoreview and even “across the pond” in southern France. Corky moved to Oakcrest in 2012 where she had many dear friends from Abiding Savior and great times of fellowship. She moved to Waverly Gardens in 2018 when she needed more care. Her passing was peaceful.  She died in her sleep at 8:25 AM with the sun shining on her face and was given a beautiful and dignified “send off” through the hallways of Waverly Gardens.