JoAnn Paulson

JoAnn Marie Paulson, age 85, of Willmar and formerly of Atwater, passed away Tuesday morning, Dec. 25, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Refuge Church in Willmar.  Interment will be at Union Cemetery in Atwater.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.  www.petersonbrothers.com

JoAnn Marie Paulson was born on October 23, 1933, in Renville, Minnesota, the daughter of Joseph and Mata (Prodoehl) Sether.  She grew up in Renville, graduated from Renville High School in 1951 and attended St. Paul Bible College.  While in Bible college, she met and began dating Randy Paulson.  They were united in marriage on July 21, 1962 and made their home south of Atwater (on the farm Randy grew up on).  In 1990, they sold the farm and moved into Willmar.  JoAnn worked for the Atwater Public School as secretary for 24 years and then went on to be the secretary at ACGC School.  JoAnn was very active at the First Baptist Church in Atwater.  She sang in the choir and was involved in other special music.  She also taught Sunday School and served in the Ladies Mission Circle.  After moving to Willmar, JoAnn and Randy joined Refuge Church.

She is survived by her husband, Randell; one son, Loren (and Diane) Paulson of Fridley; one daughter, Lonnell Paulson of Plymouth; four grandchildren, Curtis (and Katie) Paulson of Spring Lake Park, and Nicholas, Nicole and Natalie Goblirsch of Maple Grove, besides other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Donald Sether.