Dale Clauson lived his life independently and thrived on attending social activities. Dale was incredibly generous and caring. Maintaining relationships and supporting his friends and loved ones were always his top priority.
Dale Arnold Clauson, 80, passed away on December 1, 2025, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. Dale was born on June 10, 1945, in Duluth, Minnesota to George A. and Esther (Laulunen) Clauson.
Dale grew up in Duluth, on the Piedmont Hillside, and attended Ensign Elementary School and Lincoln Junior High School, prior to graduating from Denfeld High School in 1963.
Dale was an avid athlete and earned three sport letters in high school. He participated in hockey, football, and track. Dale excelled at bowling, guard rifle team, played volleyball and softball, for many years of his adult life. He spent numerous years enjoying hunting. Dale was also quite a handyman in his day.
Dale spent a brief time working on the oar boats of Lake Superior and later served eleven years with the 148th Air National Guard in Duluth from 1967-1978.
Dale moved to the twin cities where he was employed by FMC Corp as a tech writer and later by Agricultural Insurance Group as an adjustor. He moved back to Duluth in the early 1970s and had insurance agencies with Famer’s Insurance Group and later with AAA Insurance.
After his years in the insurance business, Dale returned to college and earned a bachelor degree and a master’s degree in English and Psychology from UWS and embarked on careers in therapy and counseling. Dale enjoyed substituting teaching at local schools when his schedule allowed.
The next phase of Dale’s career saw him working at several agencies in the mental health field. He last worked at the Department of Corrections and Department of Human Services in Moose Lake, from where he retired in 2008. After his retirement from Moose Lake state agencies, Dale was involved in contracting with the Wisconsin Department of Vocational Rehabilitation doing psychological evaluations.
Dale was once an active member of Faith Lutheran Church where he served as President for some time.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents; and sister-in-law, Joni (Nelson) Clauson.
Dale is survived by his daughters, Kimberly, Rachel (Jason), and Stacie; son, Joshua; grandchildren, Jessica, Garrett, Joseph, Rune, Leif and Dane; great-granddaughter, Sylvia; brothers, David and Gary (Diana); and nieces and nephew, Amy (Lauren), Gina (Craig), Jon (Lindsay) and Julie (Ian), who fondly referred to Dale as “Uncle Buck”.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the team of doctors and nurses from the St. Luke’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) that provided care and comfort to Dale and his family in Dale’s final days.
A celebration of life will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 PM on Friday, January 23rd at Sunrise Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy, Hermantown.
Dale had passion for writing and music. He was a self-taught musician/guitarist. He loved to entertain and sing, making a couple appearances on local radio and frequently playing local venues with the band Second Wind. Holidays and campfires are filled with memories of Dale routinely arriving with his guitar in tow, to take requests and share the joy his talents brought to so many.
