Funeral Service for Clarence E. Carson, 94, of Aberdeen will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, at Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 Fifth Ave. N.W., Aberdeen, with Pastor Jennifer Turick presiding. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Aberdeen. A luncheon and time of fellowship will immediately follow the funeral service at Schriver's Memorial Fellowship Center.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013, and from noon until the time of the service on Wednesday, all at the mortuary. Friends may sign his online guestbook at schriversmemorial.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation, Inc.
Clarence passed away Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital, Aberdeen.
Blessed be his memory.
Clarence Eugene Carson, oldest child of Glenn and Verna (La Due) Carson, was born Nov. 1, 1918, on a farm about one mile south of Pierpont. He grew up in the Langford area and graduated from Langford High School in 1936. Clarence received a bachelor's degree in education from Northern State College in Aberdeen in 1942. That same year, he enlisted in the United States Navy as an Aviation Cadet and in 1943 was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Marine Corps Reserve. He continued to serve as a pilot in the Marine Corps during World War II, until he was relieved from active duty in November of 1945.
On September 4, 1945, Clarence was united in marriage to Lois Knecht of Houghton, who at that time was serving as a 1st Lt. in the United States Army Nurse Corps in Sioux Falls. After they both were honorably discharged, they made their home in Britton, where Clarence worked for Thorp Auto Company for approximately one year. The family then moved to Sisseton in the fall of 1947, where he was employed as a commercial teacher in the high school. Clarence went on to earn his master's degree from Northern State College in 1955 and in 1958, the family moved to Aberdeen. Clarence continued his career in education, working as a teacher, counselor, driver's education instructor and also serving as concession stand manager for Central High School and Northern State College athletic events. After serving 34 years in education, he chose to retire in 1981. Following retirement, Clarence and Lois enjoyed camping, fishing and traveling. Their travels led them to every state in the United States, except Vermont. The couple was also devout Northern State University men and women's basketball fans and enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins.
Clarence was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen. He continued to make Aberdeen his home until the time of his death.
Blessed to have shared his life are his wife, Lois Carson, of Aberdeen; his children: Robert Carson of Sioux Falls, Sharon Carson of Minneapolis, Minn., and Patricia Carson of Aberdeen; one brother, Raymond (Joanne) Carson, of Langford; and one sister, Iva Mae Aeilts, of Aberdeen.
His parents; and two brothers: Robert and Richard Carson, preceded Clarence in death.