Dolores "Laurie" Marie Paulson

Dolores “Laurie” Marie Paulson, age 92, of Ripon, WI, died peacefully on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at Maplecrest Manor in Ripon with her loving family by her side.

Laurie was born on a farm near Mt. Horeb, WI, on May 1, 1930, the youngest of six children born to Paul and Helga (Kittleson) Helgesen. She was baptized and confirmed at East Blue Mounds Lutheran Church and attended schools in Mt. Horeb until she moved with her parents to a farm near Cottage Grove, WI. Laurie graduated from Stoughton High School in 1947 and UW Whitewater in 1951, and taught Business Education in Columbus, WI. On June 28, 1953 she married Donald Paulson at First Lutheran Church in Stoughton. They made their home in Ripon, WI, and became members of Grace Lutheran Church. In Ripon she was a secretary in the Admissions Office at Ripon College, a homemaker, and was a substitute teacher at Ripon Middle  and High School for many years. Laurie also taught some evening Business classes for Moraine Park Technical College.

Laurie is survived by her husband of 70 years, Donald; their children, Col. (Ret) Jeffrey (Paula) Paulson of Ripon, WI, Rev. Dr. Steven (Crystal) Paulson of Sioux Falls, SD, and Barbara (Kevin) McAnnany of Deer Park, WI; their grandchildren, Jake (Kathryn) Paulson of Waukesha, WI, Megan (Ryan) Prellwitz and Ben (Alexandra) Paulson of Ripon, WI, James Frykman of Los Angeles, CA, and Marissa (Greg) Frykman-Somogyi of Minneapolis, MN; great-grandchildren, Nolia, Sadie and Olin Prellwitz, Amaleia, Thane, Torrin and Theodore Paulson; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Helga Helgesen; a sister, Ila (Don) Wollum; brothers, Rev. Kenneth (Esther) Helgesen, Rev. Gilford (Virginia) Helgesen, Rev. Russell (Lorraine) Helgesen and Phillip (JoAnn) Helgesen. 

Visitation for Laurie will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, from 9:30 - 11:00 am at Grace Lutheran Church, 430 W. Griswold St., Ripon, WI, 54971.

A memorial service for Laurie will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Grace Lutheran Church in Ripon, with Rev. Steven Paulson officiating. You may view a livestream of Laurie’s service at 11:00 am by visiting Grace Lutheran Livestream. Inurnment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Ripon. Memorials in her name may be directed to the "Women of Grace" of Grace Lutheran Church, or a charity of your choice.