Clair Mathson, 59, of Thief River Falls, MN passed away on Friday, September 14, 2018 on the family farm, as was his desire, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley and his family

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, September 17, 2018 at St. Pauli Lutheran Church rural Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor Carl Hansen officiating. Burial will follow at St. Pauli Cemetery.

Visitation will be held 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Monday at St. Pauli Lutheran Church.

Clair Dale Mathson was born May 11, 1959 to Clayton & Inez (Hagen) Mathson. Clair was baptized and confirmed at St. Pauli Lutheran Church in rural Thief River Falls. Clair attended Knox Elementary and graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1977.

Clair worked hard all his life starting out on the family farm and drove truck for various trucking firms in Thief River Falls. Clair was married to Debra Cleven and to this marriage was born one son. Clair later moved to Las Vegas, NV and worked as an Auto Mechanic at Golden Auto and later used his creative talent as a cabinet maker. Clair was married to Cari Abrao in Las Vegas and to this marriage was born a daughter.

After twenty years in Nevada, Clair returned to the family farm and was employed as a shift supervisor at 7 Clans Casino. Clair retired in August of 2017 due to illness and spent the last year doing what he enjoyed most-growing beautiful flowers, wandering around the farm and making stuff (including woodworking and baked goods). Clair loved to bake treats for his co-workers at the casino.

Clair is survived by his mother, Inez Mathson; siblings, Brenda (Jeff) Nielsen, Bruce (Shelley) Mathson, Chris (Bruce) Carter and Brian Mathson. Clair is also survived by two children, Travis Mathson and Kayla Mathson; step-son Bryan Cleven; three aunts, Judy Mason, Shirley (Ron) Smith and Joyce (Darrel) Qualley ; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his father Clayton in 2013.