Clarence Carlson
December 9, 1921 ~ March 24, 2009
Clarence Carlson, 87, of Lebanon, passed away, Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Graveside Services were held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 28, 2009 at the Lebanon Cemetery at Lebanon, SD with Pastor Paul Smith officiating. The family was present from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2009 at the Luce Funeral Home in Gettysburg.
Clarence was born to Arthur and Mable (Wold) Carlson on December 9, 1921, at Finlayson, Minnesota. Clarence moved with his parents to Huron, South Dakota, in 1924. He attended country school for eight years, and then went on to high school in Huron.
Clarence farmed with his father until he joined the Air Force in 1945. He served as a mechanic on the B-29 Bomber during WWII. He and his father were both drafted that same year.
Clarence married Velma Rodman on March 1, 1945. His wife joined him at various bases for the duration of his stay in the service.
In 1953 the family moved to a farm south of Lebanon, South Dakota. Clarence farmed until 1956 when he moved his family into Lebanon. He then acquired employment with the Potter County Highway Department as a road maintainer operator, a position he held until his retirement in the year 2000. Clarence enjoyed spending his weekends with his family on camping and fishing trips and spent his retirement working in his yard and garden. Clarence and Velma resided in Lebanon until their move to Sioux Falls in 2008.
Clarence is survived by his wife, Velma of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; three sons, Randy (Cora) of Sandy, Utah; Douglas (Patty) of Maple Grove, Minnesota; and Larry (Ev) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister, and several aunts and uncles.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Clarence's arrangements.
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Dear Velm & family – Words cannot express the feeling of sadness at the loss of Clarence. He was a caring, loving, big-hearted, awesome wonderful man, and we will miss him dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you – may cherished memories ease the heavy hearts. Love,
Judy & Steve Youmans
My hearts and prayers go out to you at this difficult time.
I have fond memories of Clarence over the years and I recall him telling many tales of his children and grandchildren.
He will be missed!
~greg
Randy, Doug and Larry,
I am sorry to hear about the lose of your father. He was a very kind gentle man and you have my deepest sympathy.
Hopefully you will be able to attend the Lebanon quad-centennial this summer where we can share memories.
I can still see him in his road grader.
Janet
thinking of you and wishing we could be there. your in our thoughts. love Tara Alberto and kids.
Doug and Patty: I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. My condolences to you and your family.
I am sending my deepest sympathy
Nichole and Family,
E am sending sympathies in the loss of your grandfather! He must have been an amazing person…it seems no matter the time span one is never ready to lose their hero!
Thinking of you and praying the Lord will comfort your family.
OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY IN THE LOSS OF YOUR FATHER, I HAVE MANY MEMORIES WITH OUR PARENTS. THE LOSS OF A PARENT IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU AT THIS TIME.
Velma and family, I am sorry to hear about Clarence. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May God be with you during these times.
Velma, Randy, Doug and Larry – we were so sorry to hear about Uncle Clarence. He was such a dear sweet man and will be missed.
Wish I could be there. Better yet, wish I could have come when Mom and my siblings were up that way recently. Was not to be I guess.
Thoughts and prayers are coming your way from a little town in the middle of Missouri. From a guy who has many, many fond memories of the Carlson family.
Nichole & Family, I am sorry to hear about your loss. My prayers are with you.
No one can know the pain and grief that you are feeling at the death of your father. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. My deepest sympathy in the death of your father and father-in-law.
Velma. Randy, Doug and Larry and all of your families. I am sorry to hear about Uncle Clarence. I too have very fond memories of coming to South Dakota for many many years and visiting with you and Clarence. It was always neat because after visiting with my grandma we got another vacation to your house. Clarence always let us snoop around his barn and it was neat for us city folks. Please know you are in our prayers
Velma & Family,
So sorry to hear of Clarence’s passing. Our prayers and sympathies are with you at this most difficult time. This picture of him looks just like I remember him when my Mom & I saw you guys in Gettysburg.
Dear Velma and Family, We know that Clarence’s passing has left big holes in the hearts and lives of all who loved him…..And who could help but love that gentle man with such ready grins and twinkling eyes!! He will be dearly missed, but he has left a legacy of strength to draw on, and so many sweet memories for comfort. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Heres to you Clarence for all the road blading you done. I Remember you doing your job since we moved to the Hottman farm in 1958.
Paul and Mary Ann
And no snow to plow here, sorry!