Rev. Robert Dean Paulson

Paulson, Rev. Robert Dean STOUGHTON - The Rev. Robert Dean Paulson, of Stoughton, died peacefully and surrounded by his family circle on Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24, 2007, in Stoughton Hospital at age 83, following a long history of heart disease and diabetes. Bob was born July 13, 1924, in Superior, the eldest of three sons born to the Rev. Carsten L. Paulson and Charlotte L. (Heydon) Paulson. He graduated from Osceola High School in 1942 and moved with his parents to Ashland where he attended Northland College for a year, before attending the University of Minnesota School of Mortuary Science and graduating before he was drafted in July 1944. He entered the Navy as radar operator and maintenance man with the rank as a second-class petty officer. Bob served aboard a ship in the Okinawa campaign and after the war in the U.S. repatriation program in China, Japan and Korea. He returned from overseas duty in 1946 and was honorably discharged and moved back to Osceola working in the Scottum funeral home as an apprentice funeral director and embalmer. On Feb. 14, 1947, Bob was married to Elaine Marion Johnson in Duluth, Minn., by his father. They lived in Osceola until they moved to Superior where Bob was employed by the Lenroot-Metzold Funeral Home. In 1951 Bobs former boss and friend, Wendell Scottum, died unexpectedly. Bob and Elaine returned to Osceola to manage and eventually purchase the funeral home and furniture business from Mrs. Scottum. In 1964 at age 40, Bob accepted the call to full-time Christian ministry in the United Methodist Church. He and Elaine sold their business and moved to Jim Falls where Bob served as a supply pastor of three churches while returning to college. He graduated with a B.S. in sociology in 1968. The family then moved to St. Croix Falls where Bob served the three-point charge of St. Croix Falls, Wolf Creek and the Taylors Falls UMC in Minnesota. During this time he also commuted to St. Paul, Minn., to attend the United Theological Seminary and graduated with a masters of divinity degree in 1972; he also received the honorary Catherine Cook Scholastic Award for "Excellency in Pastoral Ministry". Bob was ordained an elder in the United Methodist Church in 1972 and was moved by the Bishop of the Wisconsin Conference to the Viroqua/ Liberty Pole charge. The couple lived there for six years and then were moved to Bashford UMC in Madison and served that church for nine years. Failing health in 1987 prompted early retirement at age 63. They continued to live in Madison until 1990 when they moved to a retirement condo in Stoughton. They wintered in Lakeland, Fla., for 16 years. Bob was active all of his life in community and church activities: Scouts, president of Northern Funeral Directors Assoc., trustee of UMC Conference-WI, president of Kiwanis Club, drug abuse counselor for Lutheran Social Services, Kegonsa Masonic Lodge, Madison Zor chaplain, American Legion as well as many other organizations. Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Elaine; son, Robert Douglas (Colleen) of Shakopee, Minn.; two daughters, Roxanne Gnatzig (Lee) of Reedsburg and Kristine Robers (Mark) of Neenah; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, the Rev. James L. (Vina) Paulson of Cape Coral, Fla., and Mark M. (Marilyn) Paulson of Wausau; stepmother, Ruth Paulson; many nieces, nephews, cousins, an aunt and a host of friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, a great-granddaughter, aunts and uncles. Funeral service will be held at the STOUGHTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 525 Lincoln Ave., Stoughton, on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Dave McRoberts and the Rev. Dr. Lamar Gibson officiating. Entombment will be at Roselawn Memorial Park following the church fellowship. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON STOUGHTON FUNERAL HOME, 1358 Highway 51, on Friday, Dec. 28, 2007, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. At the familys request, memorials can be given to the Stoughton UMC, the Ministers Pension Fund of the UMC Conference, Asbury UMC or any other church of your choice.