Clifford Carlson

Clifford Phillip Carlson 81, of International Falls, MN passed away on August 4, 2025, surrounded by his family, at the Rainy Lake Medical Center after a courageous 3.5 year battle with cancer.

Clifford was born August 2, 1944, to Art and Signe Carlson at Roseau, MN.

Cliff worked for Boise for 37 years. During his time at Boise he worked several different jobs. He was a licensed pipefitter when he retired in 2006.

Cliff enjoyed fishing and hunting. He enjoyed going camping with his family and later on with his grandkids. In the summer you would see Cliff outside all the time and he loved gardening. He loved spending time with his family especially watching his grandchildren play sports. In the fall he was watching his grandsons play football, in the winter he was at the gyms watching his grandkids play basketball, and in the spring he was at the baseball field watching his grandkids play baseball.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents Art and Signe Carlson; his parents-in-law, Klemet and Rose Klemetsen; infant brother, Clayton; infant sister, Avis; brother, Merle; sisters, Shirley, Arlene, Gloria, and Vivian.

Cliff leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Lois; sister, Mavis (Shorty); daughters, Katrina (Jeff), and Cherie (James); son, Kim; grandchildren: Cody (Mariah), Jace (Megan), Hallie (Chet), Trevar (Samantha), Tristan, Alexis, Allie, and Aria; great-grandchildren: Sophie, Khloe, Oliva, Camden, Aubry, Micha, and step-grandson, Braden. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Rosie Klemetsen; brothers-in-law, Lyle (Caroline) Klemetsen, and Allen Klemetsen; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 12-2:00 pm at the Peter Graham VFW Post 2948 in International Falls. 

Interment will be at the Beaver Cemetery of Roseau.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Betsy Loop, Todd Jonson, and the nurses at RLMC especially Jordan Kamrath, Erica McGuire, Libby Miggins, and Sarah Arch.