MCFARLAND / MOUNT HOREB - Lester Paulson peacefully left this earth on Oct. 2, 2023. He was born in Dodgeville, Wis., on Sept. 30, 1944, and spent much of his life working the family farm in rural Barneveld. He was the middle child between Marilyn and Don. Farming was his first love. He attended the UW- Madison Agriculture Short Course and returned home to help his parents, Ralph and Verda Paulson, continuing the farming tradition.

In 1968 he married Kathleen, and the two remained married until his passing. They moved into the second family farmstead near Daleyville, where they had five children: Daniel, Christopher, Sheryl, Barbara and Thomas. They continued to live there until purchasing the farm operations in the early 80s. After the farm crisis, Les went on to over-the-road trucking, working as a farm hand, and finally trucking for a local cooperative until his retirement.

Les had several interests throughout his life. He owned a few classic Chevy Impalas prior to getting married. When farming took over, he became active in the tractor pulling community, and was a member of Badger State Tractor Pullers for years. Only International tractors would do as he was not a fan of John Deere. He also had a natural love for animals, especially dogs. He seemed to have a special gift for bonding with them. Maybe it was also the fact that the dogs got table scraps no matter what he was told.

Les is survived by his wife, Kathleen; children, Daniel (Hope) Paulson, Sheryl (Andrew) Price, Barbara Paulson (Richard Proctor) and Tom (Sara) Paulson; six grandchildren (in order of age), Kyler, Amber, Jacob, Annabelle, Harry and Hunter; sister, Marilyn Schaedla; and brother, Donnie Paulson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Verda Paulson; son, Christopher; brother-in-law, William Schaedla; and sister-in-law, Susan Paulson.

A funeral service will be held at MIDDLEBURY CHAPEL, 2548 County Road H, Barneveld, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. Burial will be held at Middlebury Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON CAMACHO MOUNT HOREB FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 500 N. Eighth St., Mount Horeb, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. Fellowship and food will follow at church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be gifted in Lester’s name to Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb

Funeral & Cremation Care

500 N. Eighth St.

(608) 437-5077

Lester Wayne Paulson

September 30, 1944 - October 02, 2023

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