Donald Paulson

Donald William Paulson, age 86, of Willmar, died Monday evening, Jan. 8, at Rice Memorial Hospital following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, Jan. 12, at the First Baptist Church in Willmar. Interment will be at Union Cemetery in Atwater. Visitation will be from 5-8 P.M. on Thursday, Jan. 11, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Donald was born on August 30, 1920, south of Atwater in Lake Elizabeth Township, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, the son of Archie L. and Mabel M. (Olson) Paulson. He grew up and received his education in the rural Atwater community and became engaged in farming with his family. He later moved to St. Paul and began working with his uncle in the heating and oil business. On April 9, 1949, Donald was united in marriage to Nona M. Linden. They lived in St. Paul for five years before moving to Willmar. They owned and operated a family plumbing and heating business for many years in the Willmar area. Nona died in 2002. On September 25, 2004, Donald was married to Evelyn L. Erickson and they made their home in the Willmar community. Donald was a past member of the Lake Elizabeth and Atwater Baptist churches and current member of the First Baptist Church in Willmar where he served as head usher and volunteer for many various committees. He was also a member of the Kandiyohi County Historical Society and the Antique Power Association.
Donald enjoyed being an active volunteer in his churches, gardening and coffee time with his friends at "The Ranch" and listening to gospel quartet music. He was also well known by many for making "Paulson Taffy".
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn of Willmar; four children, Jane (and Ron) Huisinga of Willmar, Dale Paulson of Bloomington, Lorri (and Bruce) Watland of Willmar and Tracy (and Shelley) Paulson of Buffalo; six grandchildren, Jonathan (and Karen), Kristina, Stephen and Laura Huisinga and Eric and Aaron Watland; four stepchildren, Ross (and Margaret) Erickson of Willmar, Ryan (and Kelly) Erickson of Blomkest, Matt (and Rianne) Erickson of Blomkest and Dana (and Tom) Roderick of Blomkest; eleven step-grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren. Also surviving is one brother, Randall (and JoAnn) Paulson of Willmar, besides other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Nona.