John Clayton Carlson 1919-2001

CARLSON, HANSON, HUGHES

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/26/2013 at 18:52:19

John Clayton Carlson, 82, of Sioux City died "Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001.

Services, will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, with the Rev. Merlin J. Schrad, the Very Rev. Laurence J. Burns and the Rev. Mr. John J. Heffernan officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., a vigil service at 7 p.m. followed by a Chalice service and Honor Guard by the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, all at Meyer Brothers Colonial Ctiapel.

John Clayton Carlson was born May 18, 1919, in Soldier, Iowa. He was the son of John M. Carlson, who was born in Sweden, and Dena M. Hanson, who was born in Norway. He graduated from high school in Soldier in 1936, where he was valedictorian of his class.

He earned his bachelor of science degree in commerce at the University of Iowa and graduated cum laude in 1940. He was a member of Delta Chi Fraternity and served as president for two years. He also participated in special training schools in the fields of public utilities, industrial management, and corporate finances, and was active on the special committees of Edison Electric Institute, American Gas Association, Midwest Gas Association and North Central Electric Association.

He enlisted in the Armed Forces during World War II in 1943. He was selected to attend an Army specialized training program for one year. Upon completion, he was sent to London and was assigned to serve on the staff of General Dwight Eisenhower at the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Forces. There, he was the administrative officer of the combined American. British and Norwegian military personnel.

He served as liaison officer between S.H.A.E.F. in London and forward headquarters in France, Edinburgh, the London office of the British government, Royal Norwegian government in Oslo, Norway, and the Royal Norwegian headquarters. He was appointed as adjutant general of the "Special Mission to Norway" in Oslo. He was honored with a special decoration and Freedom Medal by King Haakon VII and Crown Prince Olaf of Norway for his accomplishments resulting in the freedom of Norway from the Herman occupation forces.

After the end of the war in 1945, he attended the School of Military Government in Rheims, France, and then was assigned to the Military Government Headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, for one year, after which he elected to take an honorable discharge.

Mr. Carlson married Maurine Hughes on Aug. 12, 1946, and recently they celebrated their 55th anniversary.

He was employed with Iowa Public Service and Midwest Resources for 28 years, and last served as its chief financial officer until his retirement in 1984.

Mr. and Mrs. Carlson then moved to their home in Estes Park, Colo., where they lived for nine years.

While living in Estes Park, he was a member and president of the local Rotary Club and member and director of the local Symphony Orchestra Association. He served as a Eucharistic minister and chairman of the finance committee of Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church.

In 1991, Mr. and Mrs. Carlson returned to Sioux City, where they have resided since that time.
In Sioux City, he was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and its Men's Club. He was active in committees of the Sioux City Community School District, Briar Cliff College, United Fund and Rotary Club.

He was a member of the board of directors of the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra Association and Sioux City Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Carlson was a Third and Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and was awarded a Chalice which will be presented to a newly ordained Catholic priest.

He is survived by his wife, Maurine Carlson; a nephew, the Rev. P. Michael Carlson and his Wife, Marilyn of Eau Claire, Wis.; a niece, Jane Stoutland of Ackley, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Madeline Brown and her husband, John of San Antonio. Texas; a nephew, Steven Alcorn and his wife, Cynthia of Minnetonka, Minn.; a niece, Mary