David A. Clauson
Dave Clauson passed away May 11, 2025, at Sanford Ava’s House in Sioux Falls. He was 83.
David Allan Clauson was born April 27, 1942, in Sioux Falls, SD to Gurine (Nina) Clauson (Servold). His childhood was full of family with his 5 siblings and their families. He graduated from Washington Senior High School and was a proud lifelong resident of Sioux Falls. Following high school, he began his telephone career with Western Electric before being drafted into the US Army in 1964. Dave was a proud veteran as a 55-year active member of the American Legion.
His phone company career resumed after his Army service with a lineman position with Northwestern Bell in Winner, SD which proved to be good fate when he met a local girl through a work friend who was dating her sister. Dave and Carol were married March 1, 1969, in Winner during a blizzard and then began their lifelong love in Sioux Falls as they raised their 2 children. Friendship became family as Bob and Shirley also married and spent several years in Sioux Falls alongside Dave and Carol during their early family raising days.
Dave’s phone career spanned 42 years alongside dedicated involvement with the Communications Workers of America (CWA). His union membership evolved into several leadership roles over 30 years including local president for 12 years. Dave and Carol enjoyed opportunities for travel to district and national meetings and his union stewardship cultivated friendships that were cherished his entire adult life.
In addition to his work and union commitments, Dave was a true family man with hobbies like snowmobiling, three-wheeling, and pheasant hunting all involving his family. He was an avid spectator of his kids’ & grandkids’ activities and always up for some catch in the backyard. Dave had a sharp eye for cars with the ability to identify most vintages…with his clear favorite being a white 61’ Bonneville that he bought soon after high school graduation.
Whether out for dinner, a stop into the hardware store or most anywhere around town, it was almost certain that Dave would run into someone he knew. As a genuine conversationalist, that outing would reveal another connection with the old Riverside neighborhood, the phone company, or someone who knew one his siblings or their families.
Grateful for having shared his life are ‘his bride’ of 56 years, Carol; son Brian Clauson (Janeen), Rosemount, MN; daughter Angie Flanigan (Jim), Brandon, SD; 5 grandchildren Zach Flanigan (Kara), Pleasant Hill, OH; Eric Flanigan, Sioux Falls, SD; Macyn Burson (Ethan), Harrisburg, SD; Alex Clauson, Minneapolis, MN and Erin Clauson, Minnetonka, MN. He was preceded in death by his mother; his father and mother in-law Walter Krauss and Mary Jane Krauss (Hampson); and his 5 siblings and their spouses, Les Clauson, Buford Clauson (Esther), Alice Harmer (Bob), Howard Clauson (Jessie), and Laurie Clauson (Margaret).
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Legion.
Funeral Services will be 11:00am, Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Miller Southside Chapel, 7400 S. Minnesota Avenue. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Following a luncheon, interment will take place at Hills of Rest Cemetery.