Donald LeRoy Paulson, age 85, of Cambridge went to be with the Lord December 6, 2017 at GracePointe Crossing Gables West after a long battle with cancer. Memorial Service 11:00 A.M. Friday, December 15th at Calvary Lutheran Church, 600 Rush Point Drive, Stanchfield with a visitation one hour prior at the church. Interment Calvary Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the Salvation Army or Calvary Lutheran Church.
Donald was born May 18, 1932 to Henry W. and Gerda (Berntson) at the family farm in Rush Point, Minnesota. He was a lifelong member of Calvary Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir for many years and he also served on the church board. Don gave his time to charities including; Jesus Delivers, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army as a bell ringer, Isanti County Historical Society and Calvary Lutheran Church. He also went on a mission trip to Mexico to build houses for the needy and he worked for Lutheran Brotherhood.
Don also enjoyed cutting wood with Randy Gerdin and his boys. He graduated from North Branch High School in 1949 and stayed active in North Branch Alumni activities over the years. Don milked cows on the farm until 1966 and continued to farm his whole life. In 1966 he also took a job as a custodian for the Cambridge school district and retired in 1999. He also drove school bus for the district.
On March 6, 1970 Don was united in marriage to Niobe Wilcox (Thiry). That marriage lasted until 1983. On April 9, 1991 Don was united in marriage to Koreen (Hanson) Gerdin. They took numerous trips including visits to Sweden, Norway, Austria, Germany, England, Switzerland, Ireland, Nova Scotia, Alaska, California, Arizona and the like. Don loved his farm and stayed active on it into his 80’s. He also loved music, threshing bees, county and state fairs, and tractors that were green and yellow.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Gerda; sister, Carol Sandberg and brother in law, Warren Sandberg; sister Mae Engelbrecht; sister, Marion Stinchfield and brother in law, Robert Stinchfield; and nephew, Garry Johnson.
He is survived by his wife, Koreen Gerdin; step-son, Dale Thiry; sister, Harriet (Gerald) Johnson; brother-in-law, Al Engelbrecht; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
I will always remember with a smile how much Don loved CHOCOLATE. He would sit down at my desk with a new story and pause for a new chocolate every once in a while during the telling of it. He always had a ready smile – such a gift!
God Bless him and your family!! Sounds like a great man! What a service of life to others, sounds like an avid traveler. Prayers and love sent.