Caleb K. Korpi, 47, Claremont
Caleb Kyle Korpi, 47, of Claremont, died unexpectedly of natural causes, Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley.
He was born Feb. 8, 1976, in Bemidji, the son of Bill and Karen Korpi. He grew up in Owatonna and graduated from Owatonna High School, Class of 1995. He continued his education at Austin Vo-Tech graduating with an Auto Body degree.
On July 12, 1997, he married Tami Ellis at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna. The couple lived in Owatonna and Claremont for a short time before purchasing their home in Claremont Township outside of Claremont where they have lived for 16 years.
Caleb worked at Viracon and Marcon in Owatonna, RC Bliss in Faribault, Stephan’s in Faribault, Superior Collision in Eagan and Koster’s Car Korner in Blooming Prairie for the past 23 years.
He was a member of the Claremont Fire Department and First Responders, USRA Racing and Southern MN Promotions (enduro racing). He enjoyed hunting, ice fishing, working on his car, was on a bow hunting league and especially enjoyed his dogs. He was a practical joker, had a light-hearted nature which endeared him to children, and he was the first person to offer to help people in need.
He is survived by his wife, Tami Korpi of Claremont; children, Brittany Ellis (Marcus Johnson) of Faribault and Dylan Ellis (Lilly Wilder) of Owatonna; parents, Bill and Karen Korpi of Claremont; siblings, Josh (Christina) Korpi of Owatonna and Nichole (Josh) Steiner of Pittsboro, N.C.; nieces and nephews, Zachary Korpi (Braelyn Johnson) of Ellendale, Katelyn Korpi of Owatonna, Nolan Buchanan of Blooming Prairie, Brittny Buchanan of Virginia; great-niece, Cora Korpi of Ellendale; mother-in-law Debbie (Sorensen) Ellis of Claremont; brother-in-law, Bradley Ellis (Crystal Buchanan) of Blooming Prairie; maternal grandmother, Myrle Dabill of Pine River and many extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by two infant children; father-in-law, Ronald Ellis; paternal grandparents, Fridolf and Ethel Korpi and maternal grandfather, Donald Dabill.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 4 from 2-5 p.m. at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna and Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna one hour prior to the service. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 5, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna with Pastor Amanda Floy officiating. Burial will be held in Hillside Cemetery in Claremont immediately following the service. A lunch reception will be held at the Claremont Fire Hall after the funeral and burial.
Memorials are preferred to the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention.
Michaelson Funeral Homes, Inc. of Owatonna is handling the funeral arrangements.