Claire Elizabeth (Dufek) Thorstad, was born August 19th, 1935 in Minneapolis, MN to Elsie(Dufek) and Frank Wilhardt. Her mother died in childbirth and she was raised and later adopted by her aunt and uncle, Florence(Mick) & Peter Dufek and lived most of her life in Duluth. She graduated from Denfeld High School in 1953. She worked for the former American Linen Supply and over 29 years as secretary in the Water & Gas Department, the last eighteen years as secretary to the Director. She was awarded Employee of the Month for city employees, in March 1993, which made her very proud. She retired from Water & Gas in 1996. She died unexpectedly the morning of January 1, 2023, at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living, Hermantown, MN. She was 87 years young.