Hibbing – Clarence Donald Carlson, age 94, of Hibbing, passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, May 3, 2026.
Clarence was born on May 11, 1931 in Thief River Falls. He was a graduate of Northwest School of Agriculture, a U.S. Navy veteran who served as an Electrician’s Mate on the USS Ute (AT-76) in the Sea of Japan during the Korean War. In his early years, Clarence spent winters trapping, cutting pulp, and farming.
He married the love of his life, Patricia Ann James, on June 1, 1953, and they were married for 57 years.
He was a maintenance electrician and then electrical maintenance foreman at Eveleth Taconite from 1967 to 1986, and a master electrician and owner of Carlson Electric, working side by side with his wife Patricia until retiring.
He was a member of the Hibbing Trap Club and Grygla VFW. Clarence had a lifelong love of hunting and fishing. He enjoyed Sudoku, cribbage, reloading shells, woodworking, gardening, farming and a good plate of lutefisk. A true jack-of-all-trades, he loved spending time with family and was very proud of each and every one of them.
He is survived by his sisters, Carol Overby Kriel and Cindi (Marlin) Kotrbra; sister-in-law, Ginny Pascoe; special friend, Elaine Latvala; children, Debbie Hadrava, Donald (Debbee) Carlson, Daniel Carlson, Denise (Donny) Sampson, Diane (Thomas) Eliason, David (Krista) Carlson; grandchildren, Heather, Rebecca, Danielle, Rachel, Sheridan, Sierra, Stacy, Aaron, Angela, Ashley, Deanna and Philip; great-grandchildren, Sariah, Bryce, Bree, Jean, Ashton, Shaylynn, Eleuthera, Jayceon, Timothy, Cadence, Aubrey, Madison and Cameron; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Esther Carlson; Anton and Hannah Overby; wife, Patricia Ann; sisters, Delna Wells, Marianne Satre and Antonette Nelson; brothers, Arlan, Alden and Duane Overby; and granddaughter, Melissa Hadrava.
Visitation will take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026, with a Celebration of Life at 5 p.m., at First Baptist Church in Hibbing. Meal to follow service.
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