Clara Mae Adamson died March 13, 2025, in Trimont, Minnesota. She was 86.
She was born May 8, 1938, the middle child of Evert and Esther (Sjogren) Adamson, in Fairmont, Minnesota.
Clara graduated in 1956 from Tri-Mont High School and continued her education at North Park College, where she graduated in 1960, as part of the first four-year class. She earned an elementary education certification from Northeastern Illinois University in 1967 and a master’s degree from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia, in 1971.
After college, Clara was a member of the first Covenant Youth Caravan, where she formed relationships that lasted the rest of her life.
She was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, a constant supporter of the Evangelical Covenant Church, and a pioneer of women in ministry, becoming a commissioned staff member of the Covenant in 1975—one year before the vote to ordain women in the Covenant.
She taught and served as dean of women at Covenant Bible Institute (College) in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
Clara was director of residence and student activities at the Swedish Covenant Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago. She served as director of Christian education at Hinsdale (Illinois) Covenant Church, Excelsior (Minnesota) Covenant Church, and served in Christian education at Covenant congregations in Gaylord, Minnesota, and Olathe, Kansas. She was secretary of the Executive Board of Education for the Covenant.
She also worked in an adult group home in Winthrop, Minnesota. She was a teacher and leader at many summer church camps and youth programs throughout the US and Canada.
As Clara neared her retirement years, she wanted to be near her beloved north shore of Minnesota, a place where she had enjoyed family vacations her entire life. She introduced many family members to the region, where she organized and cohosted many family gatherings.
Returning to Duluth, she became a staff member, strong supporter, and fixture at Our Place, a Covenant Enabling Residence for adults. She shared her time, talents, and love of enabling with those who found it challenging to adapt to everyday life at work and in social interactions.
Clara was a member of First Covenant Church in Duluth and spent countless hours playing the piano at senior residences and nursing homes, attending concerts, and taking community education courses. Music was at the heart of her life, and she had the rare gift of playing the piano entirely by ear, harmonizing effortlessly whenever someone sang along. She also played the coronet, accordion, and harmonica. For Clara, music was a way to connect with others for joy and fellowship. Any place with a piano became an occasion—she was even hired to play at Dayton’s department store in downtown Minneapolis.
Wherever Clara went, she left an impact. Her unwavering commitment to serving God by serving others was an inspiration to all who knew her. Her kindness, faith, and joyful spirit will be missed.
Clara was preceded in death by brothers-in law Stanley Hauser and John Rabbe, sister-in-law Dianne Adamson, niece Anne Hauser, and nephews Andrew Longworth and Ryan Bell.
She is survived by her sisters, Joyce Rabbe of Trimont; Carol Hauser of Gridley, Illinois; brothers Sterling and Dwight Adamson (Mary) of Trimont; many nieces and nephews, cousins, and countless friends.
A funeral service was held at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Trimont on March 29.
Memorials may be sent to Trimont Ambulance; Our Place in Duluth, Minnesota; Cedar Hill Cemetery; or the charity of your personal choice.
Peace be to her memory.
