Mildred Fern Paulsen

Mildred Paulsen, age 91 of Rock Rapids, formerly of Steen, MN died Thursday, October 28, 2010 at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids. Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Monday, November 1, 2010 at United Methodist Church in Luverne, MN with Pastor Kristi Franken officiating. Burial will follow at Flower Field Cemetery near Hills, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Monday November 1st with the family present at the United Methodist Church in Luverne, MN. Mildred Fern Hills was born in rural Rock County, MN on September 26, 1919, the daughter of Lundy and Hettie (Pickard) Hills. She attended and graduated from Wilson High School in Rock Rapids. Mildred was united in marriage to Curtis R. Paulsen in February of 1940. The couple farmed near Steen, MN for many years until Curtis passed away in April, 1981. Mildred then married Lawrence Lemke and together they continued to live on the Paulsen Farm until Lawrences death. In 2006 Mildred moved to the Lyon Manor in Rock Rapids, IA. Throughout the years, Mildred was involved in numerous United Methodist Church boards, locally and at the State of Minnesota level. Music was important to her as she accompanied and was organist for both the Steen EUB and Luverne United Methodist Churches. She was a member of the Evangelical United brethren Church in Steen and later became a member of the United Methodist Church in Luverne, MN. Mildred gave piano and organ lessons in her home to many, many students over the years. She found time to sing at various events including the church choir, Sioux Falls Sweet Adelines, as well as soloist for many weddings and funerals in the area surrounding Steen. Mildred served as president for the Hills Community School Music Boosters. She was active in the Order of the Eastern Star, past President of the Rock County League of Women Voters, and a 4-H leader for the Royal Hs 4H Club. She was a part of the Minnesota Mental Health Board, Minnesota Welfare Board, and her one love was Board Manager of Lake Koronis Assembly Grounds. She was honored to be named Homemaker of the Year in 1958 and 4-H Mother of the Year in 1964. Anyone attending the Labor Day Softball Tournaments in Steen over the years, more than likely had a piece of one of the 30 pies she made and served annually at the food stand on Labor Day week end. Survivors include, sons, Lou (Joy) Mayer of Casa Grande, AZ, Gary (Carlotte) Paulsen of Ogden, IA, and Daryl (Marie) Paulsen of Steen MN. Five grandchildren, Kelly (Bruce) Fischbach of Vermillion, SD, Kevin (Jenni) Paulsen of Jefferson, IA, Steve (Sherry) Paulsen of Steen, MN, Kendal (Kim) Paulsen, of Ogden, IA, and Suzie (Clark) Meyer, of Brandon, SD. Mildred was blessed with twelve great-grand children and numerous nieces and nephews. Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, Lundy and Hettie Hills; sister, Marjorie Shelby Stickel; husbands, Curtis R. Paulsen and Lawrence Lemke.