Clarence Carpenter

Clarence E. Carpenter, age 87, of Faribault, MN, passed away on Monday, April 14, 2014 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault, with Fr. Erik Lundgren, associate pastor, officiating. Interment will be at the St. Lawrence Cemetery in Faribault.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory in Faribault on Monday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. and on Tuesday for one hour prior to the services at the church.

Clarence Eugene Carpenter was born on September 1, 1926, in Faribault, to William and Rose (Croteau) Carpenter. He was raised and attended schools in Faribault. Clarence served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. He was united in marriage to Stella D. Malecha on September 7, 1944 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Faribault. Clarence was a perfectionist, placing great attention to details in all aspects of his life. Early on he exhibited this perfection in his cabinetmaking. He then worked for General Mills in the machine shop and later with another company as plant supervisor. After living in Columbia Heights for 27 years, he and Stella moved to Owatonna, MN where they owned and operated the Cedardale Coin Laundry & Car Wash for 19 years. He took extreme pride in the operation of his business. In 1990 they moved to Burnsville; Stella preceded him in death on June 23, 1995.

He is survived by his children, Gordon W. (Sherry Ray) Carpenter of Denver, CO, and Cynthia M. Carpenter of Burnsville; grandchildren, Pamela (Ron) Young and their children, Evan, Connor & Jenna, and Brian (Leah) Carpenter and their children, Kaelin & Emi; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Stella; parents; and siblings, Minnie, Cecelia, Delia, Albert, and George.