"Uncle" Clifford Carlson was my only Uncle.  He was my Dad's only sibling. I could not have had an Uncle that I loved more than Uncle Cliff.  Our families generally celebrated the holidays together. On several occasions our families lived only short distances from each other, so we did have a lot of family time.. When I was small, Uncle Cliff gave me a silly nickname and referred to me even as I grew older with that name. Uncle Cliff was a gentleman, a teacher, a wonderful husband to my Aunt Helen, a great Dad to 3 children, I will always carry him in my heart, as I have since I was born.
Your loving neice,  Karen Carlson-Rhyner

My Uncle Cliff was such an amazing man.  Everything that he did, he did with perfection.  Growing up, I watched him be an incredible dad.  One of my first memories was when we visited Cliff and Helen in Baudette.  Dave had a stuttering problem, and although I was real young I remember the kind gentleness that Cliff had as he would tell Dave to just slow down.  I also remember the beautiful cedar canoe that Cliff built with his boys.  I also remember that I was his favorite niece - or at least that’s how he made me feel!  But most of all we all remember the truly special husband that he was.  He and Helen are the sweetest example of the perfect marriage.  I’m so blessed to have loved and be loved by them.  Forever - Marilyn

My first job as a Forest Guard was in the Brainerd Area in 1975.  I remember meeting Clff in his office my first day.  He gave me a very welcoming greeting and explained what was happening in the Little Falls District.  Took my truck keys and drove to Little Falls.  After I left for Finland in 1976 I never worked for Cliff again.  What I remember most about Cliff is that he always remembered me and we always had a nice conversation.  A real gentleman and a caring person.  I am happy to have known him.

Even though I never worked for Cliff in the mn. DNR I was often in contact with him.  I always admired and respected his way of dealing with people.
Phil Vieth

I am very sad to hear of Cliff's passing.  He was the Area Supervisor in Brainerd when I was District Forester in Onamia.  Cliff was well liked and respected by everyone that worked with him.  He was well known for keeping the office, equipment, and grounds very well maintained.  The flowers planted along the sidewalk leading up to the office front door was unique compared to anyothe DNR Forestry office.  He is fondly remembered by many who worked with him.

Cliff was the ultimate professional, soft spoken and highly respected among his coworkers. His orderly desk and beautiful flowers lining the sidewalks of the old area office on Washington Street spoke to his ethics and pride in himself and the job he did.  I'll always remember the kindness he showed to me.

Cliff was the first person I met when I began my career with the Division of Forestry in 1974. He was very welcoming and committed to help people do their best at their jobs. After working several years in the Crosby District and a couple years on forest inventory, I returned to Brainerd as the District Forester and worked in the same office with Cliff until he retired. I then commissioned Cliff and Helen as Fire Wardens and also worked with him as an aerial fire observer. With his experience in wildfire suppression, he was invaluable in helping  the fire fighters on the ground with advice on where the best fire action should occur. When he suggested a particular piece  of equipment would be effective, you knew if was good advice.  
Sharing hunting and fishing stories for many years after his retirement are treasured memories. 
Condolences to the family.

Cliff was a completely squared away forester.  He was a calm person with a very dry sense of humor.  I shared some committee meetings with Cliff and rode with him to some of them; the stories were great.  The neatness of the Brainerd Area Office was legendary down to the white rocks of the driveway.  

His devotion to the Minnesota Forest Service and then Divsion of Forestry was also legendary.

I never worked directly with Cliff, but our paths crossed several times while working for DNR Forestry. I spent one winter working part time on a project out of the Brainerd office while Cliff was the Area Supervisor there. He was always the first one at the office in the morning and shoveled the sidewalk to the building before anyone else arrived. He also made sure the building was clean and sparkling for the visiting public.  He was genuinely interested in new employees and made them feel welcome the the Forestry family. 
Fast forward several years and Cliff walked in the door of the Baudette office while I was stationed there. In the early days of the MN Forest Service Director Earl Adams would ask new hires where they would like to work, then sent them to the opposite end of the state.  Cliff was stationed in both Warroad and Baudette in that manner and he and Helen were visiting some of the towns they they had lived in many years ago. 
I believe Cliff also flew as an observer on aerial fire detection flights for a few years after he retired. That is a sterling example of the dedication he showed to a forestry mission he believed in. 
My condolences to Cliff's family. I'm glad to have known him.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Clifford Harold Carlson

4 septembre 1926 – 21 avril 2026

Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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