Denina Rae (Corle) Kantola

Denina Kantola, 46, of New London, passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Cura of Willmar after a nearly two-year battle with a rare bone cancer.

Her funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. Visitation will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, at the funeral home and will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday.  A recording of the service will be available on this site following the service.

Denina was born on August 25, 1978, in Willmar, Minnesota, to Loren and Karen (Fernholz) Corle. She grew up in Raymond until 1985, when her family moved to Willmar. She attended Willmar Public Schools, graduating from Willmar High School in 1996. She then pursued her passion for design at Mankato State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in interior design.

Denina’s career took her to Houghton, Michigan, where she worked at Gartner’s Gallery and later as the produce manager at Keweenaw Co+op in Hancock. In 2013, she returned to Minnesota, settling in New London. On October 3, 2015, Denina and David Kantola were joined in marriage at the Loren and Kathy Corle residence in New London. She dedicated herself to being a stay-at-home mother to her three children: Niilo, Nora, and Nolan.

Denina was known for her creativity and artistic talents, with a love for painting, decorating, and crafting. She also enjoyed gardening, hiking, cross-country skiing, cooking, and baking. An avid reader and lifelong learner, she cherished exploring new ideas. She and David shared a passion for the outdoors, which included visiting several state parks in the Upper Midwest. Above all, Denina was a devoted mother who poured her heart into making birthdays and special moments unforgettable for her children.

She is survived by her husband, David; her three children, Niilo Kaunonen (17), Nora Kantola (6), and Nolan Kantola (4); her father and stepmother, Loren and Kathy Corle of New London; her siblings, Becky (Tim) Tramm of Willmar, and Travis Corle of Atwater; stepsister, Jessica (Chad) Haugen of Spicer; her step-grandmother, Dolores Shreffler; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Karen Corle, in 2012; and her grandparents.

Denina was very concerned that her children would not remember her,

or really have a good sense of who she was to the people she knew.

We invite you to help Denina by sharing your impressions and stories about her with her friend Laurel O'Rourke.

Laurel will gladly record the conversations and preserve them in a space accessible to the kids as they grow up.

She can be reached at laurelorourke@gmail.com or 612-849-0367. No contribution is too small.

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