Clara Elizabeth Rasmussen Sivertson

Clara E Sivertson age 90, of Duluth passed away Friday, May 7, 2010, at the Benedictine Health Center with her family at her side.

She was born in Croftville, Minnesota near Grand Marais on September 4, 1919 to Matt and Marie Rasmussen.

Clara married Stanley Sivertson in 1938 and lived near Schroeder, Minnesota, before moving to Duluth in 1940. From mid spring to late fall, they moved residence to Washington Island on Isle Royale, where Stanley’s family had established a fishery in the 1890’s. Clara worked with Stanley’s mother, assisting in the cooking, laundry and support activities for the family fishing operations which were quite active at the time.

When her children reached school age, her stay on Isle Royale was limited to summer vacation. Over the years, Clara worked in the family businesses, Sivertson Fisheries and Grand Portage Isle Royale Transportation Company. After the death of Stanley in 1994 she continued managing the businesses until her retirement in 1999.

Clara was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Duluth, the Sons of Norway, Morningside Garden Club, Michigan Fish Producers’ Association, North Shore Fisherman’s Association, Save Lake Superior Association, Great Lakes Passenger Vessel Operators’ Association, and Isle Royale Families and Friends Association.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters: Carrie (David) McGiverin, Esther (Phil) Phillips, Evelyn (Norb)Leannah, and one brother: Lester (Edith) Rasmussen.

She is survived by her children, Stuart (Nancy) Sivertson, Duluth; Sandra (Frank) DeBolt, Green Valley, Arizona; Sharlene Sivertson, Duluth; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation from 5:00pm to 7:00pm Monday, May 10th at the Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home and will continue from 10:00am until the 11:00am funeral service Tuesday, May 11th at First Lutheran Church, 1100 E. Superior St. Burial will be at Park Hill Cemetery. In Clara’s memory, memorials are preferred to the Commercial Fishing Museum, Tofte, MN. Please leave a memory of Clara or words of support for the family at www.bellbrothersjarvidowd,com Arrangement by the Jarvi Dowd Funeral Home, 925 East 4th Street.