Carla Clausen

Carla Rae Clausen, 83, of Missoula passed away on September 29, 2018, of natural causes.

Carla was born on June 27, 1935, in Missoula, to Carl and Ella Clausen. She grew up in Missoula and attended schools there throughout. She then attended and ultimately graduated from the University of Montana with a PhD in microbiology. As always someone looking to give back, after graduation she joined the Peace Corps, spending two years in Sierra Leone.

After a short stint at the Rocky Mountain Laboratory in Hamilton, Carla followed her dream of pursuing science at the highest level by landing a career position with the University of Washington Children’s Hospital in Seattle. There, she directed the hospital’s microbiology department and laboratory. Carla’s work involved the study of various pediatric and other human diseases, and she authored or co-authored dozens of papers in various research and medical publications.

Carla loved living in Seattle (where she spent most of her adult life), enjoying its outstanding cultural scene and fine culinary offerings. She especially enjoyed the city’s fresh seafood. If you happened to be having dinner at her home, you could often count on a nice cut of salmon from Pike’s Market.

Some said Carla was undeniably a tomboy when she was growing up. This active little girl remained active as an adult. Whether it was an early morning jog around her neighborhood, a match at her local tennis club, or fishing a Montana stream, Carla was always on the go. Later in life, she took up golf. Hooking up with her nephews to play a few rounds was always one of the highlights of her summer trips to Missoula.

She came back to Missoula often for visits. Somewhere along the line, Carla became terrified of flying and absolutely could not be convinced that those flying machines were the safest mode of transportation. Consequently, trips back to Montana were always by car or train.

In addition to her fantastic sense of humor and love of laughter, generosity was one of Carla’s finer attributes. Though she had no children of her own, her fondness for her many nieces and nephews was undeniable. She always came to the rescue when one or another was in need, financial or otherwise.

Carla came home to Missoula to be around family five years ago. We are grateful for the opportunity to have been in her company up until her peaceful passing.

Survivors include her sister Donna, six nieces and nephews, and a host of great nieces and nephews. Her mother, father, and sister Monna precede her in death.