Clarence Oden Carlson, 101, a longtime Crookston, Minnesota resident, passed away late Saturday afternoon, Dec. 3, 2022, at Good Samaritan Society-Sacred Heart in Bismarck, North Dakota. Clarence had gone to Bismarck two weeks prior to be closer to his son, Clare, as his health was beginning to fail.
Clarence was born on June 26, 1921 in Tegner Township, near Kennedy, Minn., to Ellen and Andrew Carlson. He was the second of nine children. He attended school at Svea Country Schoolhouse through 8th grade and then began his work life in various agriculture jobs at home and for others. During World War II he was drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1942 and trained as a medic. He served in England, France, and Belgium during WWII as a member of the 555th Bombardment Squadron, 386th Bombardment Group. When asked, he had amusing and interesting stories about his experiences while serving.
Shortly after returning from the war, he met Velma Herseth on a double date. Proving persistence to be a virtue, they were married nine years later on July 2, 1955 at Skjeberg Lutheran Church in rural Drayton, ND. They raised two sons, Clare and Craig. Velma passed away May 16, 2007 after almost 52 years of marriage.
He was a farmer in Kennedy, Warren, and Crookston Minn. After he quit farming, he worked for area farmers and then American Crystal Sugar.
After Clarence and Velma’s retirements in 1986, they volunteered for community activities, enjoyed traveling, and spending time with family. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston, Minn. and the local Fraternal Order of the Eagles.
Clarence was a man of quiet disposition and a great example of how to be a husband and father.
He is survived by his sons, Clare (Lisa) of Bismarck, ND and Craig (Lynn) of Madison, Wisconsin; Granddaughters, Christine (Mike) Killoran and Caitlin (Brian) Reince also of Madison, WI; Great grandchildren: Caroline “Cara” Killoran, John “Jack” Killoran, Eleanor “Nora” Reince, Josephine “Josie” Reince and Isobel “Izzie” Reince; Brother, Franklin Carlson of Hallock, Minn. and sister-inlaw, Eunice Carlson of Racine, WI.
Clarence was preceded in death by his wife, Velma; parents, Ellen and Andrew; and siblings: Donald (Bernice) Carlson, Helaine (Luverne) Ingeman, Allen (Eunice) Carlson, Phyllis Carlson, Clifford (Lek) Carlson, Barbara Carlson, and James Carlson.
The funeral service for Clarence Oden Carlson will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston with the Rev. Greg Isaacson, officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. Military Honors will be provided by the Minn. National Guard Funeral Honors Team of Moorhead, Minn. and the Crookston Veterans Council. The service will be livestreamed at the Clarence Carlson obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com. Click on the prompt to view 10 minutes before the scheduled start. Due to snow build-up, burial will take place in the Skjeberg Lutheran Cemetery in rural Drayton, ND in the spring of 2023. Messages of condolence may be conveyed to Clarence’s family through his page on the funeral home website.
Memorials may be given in Clarence’s name to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston, Skjeberg Lutheran Church in Drayton, The Summit Foundation in Crookston, or a charity of choice.