Correne R. Clauson

Correne Clauson, age 91, passed away at Wildwood Grove Assisted Living and Memory Care in Le Roy, MN surrounded by family members on Sunday morning, January 7, 2024.

She was the oldest daughter of Lawrence and Helen (Richardt) Gronvold. Born at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, MN on July 26, 1932.  Correne grew up in Rochester where she was confirmed at Zumbro Lutheran Church and graduated from Rochester Central High School in 1950.  Upon graduation she attended Rochester Junior College for 2 years and 1 year at the University of Minnesota.  On August 7, 1954 she married J. Norman Clauson of Cannon Falls.  They had a dairy farm in the Spring Garden area.  They raised four children together. Debbie, Ruthie, Diane and Paul.  Correne was an active member of Spring Garden Lutheran Church, a 4-H Club Leader for the Spring Garden Jolly Juniors, and President of the Goodhue County Extension Council.  In 1981, Norman and Correne divorced.  Correne moved to St. Paul where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Minnesota in 1983 and worked at the St. Paul Better Business Bureau as a Customer Service Advisor until 1995. Correne was active in St. Michaels Lutheran in Roseville.  She helped with Loaves and Fishes, organized clothing drives, called Bingo at a nursing home, and worked at the Ordway Theater. She made many lifetime friends while living in St. Paul. In 1995, she moved back to Cannon Falls and moved into Stonehouse Apartments.  She worked as a secretary of the Shepherds Center for several years.  She eventually moved to Twin Rivers Assisted Living in Cannon Falls and after a fall, moved to Pine Haven Nursing Home in Pine Island. On February 16, 2023, Correne moved to Wildwood Grove Assisted Living and Memory Care in Le Roy, MN where her daughter, Diane, is the Administrator.
Correne loved her family. She cherished her relationship with her three younger sisters, Marlys, Beth and Shirley.  Even though they lived in different states, they stayed in touch with phone calls and letters and would have sister weekends to catch up. Her nieces and nephews who came for holiday celebrations have fond memories of those family get-togethers because of all the love she poured into the decorations, food and games for the holidays. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. 
Correne is survived by her children, Deb (Jeff) Harrison of Jacksonville, FL; Ruthie Sjoblom, Wanamingo; Diane (Pat) Whalen, Le Roy; and Paul (Elrene) Clauson, Kenyon; and son-in-law Dave Sjoblom, Wanamingo; three sisters, Marlys Fredley, The Villages, FL; Beth Bipes, Manhattan, KS; Shirley (Jim) Anderson, Scottsdale, AZ; 10 grandchildren, Brian, Adam, Jay, Jeff, Pat, Ann, Kathy, Will, Heather & Peter; 26 great and 25 great, great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, her brother Jerry, brother-in-law Dave Fredley, her maternal grandparents, H. Peter and Hazel (Swale) Richardt and paternal grandparents, Charles and Laura (Stensgaard) Gronvold.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 11:00 am, with visitation from 10:00 - 10:50 am, at Spring Garden Lutheran Church, 10239 County 1 Blvd, Cannon Falls. There will be a light lunch following the service. Memorial gifts may go to Wildwood Grove, 410 E. Main St., LeRoy, MN 55951.