Clarence Oden Carlson, 101

Clarence Oden Carlson, 101, longtime Crookston, Minn., resident, passed away late Saturday afternoon, Dec. 3, 2022, at Good Samaritan Society-Sacred Heart in Bismarck, N.D. 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 Township country schoolhouse through eighth grade and then began his work life in various agriculture jobs at home and for others.
During WWII, 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, rural Drayton, N.D. They raised two sons, Clare and Craig. Velma passed away May 16, 2007, after almost 52 years of marriage.
He was a farmer at Kennedy, Warren and Crookston. 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, Crookston, and the local Eagles Aerie.
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, and Craig (Lynn) of Madison, Wis; granddaughters, Christine (Mike) Killoran and Caitlin (Brian) Reince also of Madison; great-grandchildren: Caroline “Cara” Killoran, John “Jack” Killoran, Eleanor “Nora” Reince, Josephine “Josie” Reince and Isobel “Izzie” Reince; brother, Franklin Carlson, Hallock, Minn., and sister-in-law, Eunice Carlson, Racine, Wis.
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 was held at 11 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 Minnesota National Guard Funeral Honors Team, 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, rural Drayton, N.D., in the spring of 2023.
Messages of condolence may be conveyed to Clarence’s family through his page on the funeral home website.