64146_Donald J._Paulsen
MASON CITY | Donald J. Paulsen, 82, of Mason City, died early Friday morning, March 7, 2014, at the University of Iowa Hospitals Burn Unit in Iowa City surrounded by his loving family.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 13, 2014, at Epiphany Parish – St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 Fifth St. S.E., Mason City. Inurnment will follow in Elmwood – St. Joseph Cemetery, where military honors will be provided by the American Legion of Rockwell.
A visitation with public viewing will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2014, at Hogan-Bremer- Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., where the Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 6 p.m., followed by a scriptural wake service. Following the visitation, cremation will be accorded.
Should friends desire, memorials may be left in Don’s name to Hospice of North Iowa or Epiphany Parish.
Donald Jay Paulsen was born on Oct. 6, 1931, on a farm outside of Mason City, to Thomas N. and Frances (Berkenmeier) Paulsen. He was one of 12 children. Don attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Mason City, graduating among the class of 1949.
On Jan. 29, 1952, Donald was inducted into the United States Army where he served at Fort Sam Houston in Texas, until his honorable discharge on Jan. 26, 1954. Upon his return to Iowa, Don made his way back to the family farm where he would work alongside his family for the next few years.
While attending dances at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake Don was introduced to Helen Lickteig. On Feb. 3, 1968, the two would exchange wedding vows at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wesley. They would be blessed with five children and 46 years together.
Don and Helen began their lives together on a farm outside of Mason City. As the years went by and their family grew, Don never lost his love for the land. He worked fervently on the farm until his retirement at the age of 70. In Oct. of 2012, Don and Helen moved into Mason City to enjoy their retirement, Don loved being able to lend a helping hand to his neighborhood friends.
In his free time Don could almost always be found outdoors; he loved flower and vegetable gardening, feeding the birds and squirrels, and making wreaths. He spent countless hours planting trees on the home farm and as a member of the Mason City Garden Club, and donated his time as a volunteer for Hospice of North Iowa. He was a devoted member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he sang in the church choir, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and served as an altar server for funeral Masses.
Above all else, Don cherished the time spent with his children and grandchildren, attending their activities and events.
Those grateful in sharing in his life are his wife, Helen, Mason City; children, Regina (John) Otten, Urbandale, and their son, Joshua; Ketel (Betsy Peirce) Paulsen, Decorah, and their daughter, Olivia; Mary (Kevin) Alert, Mason City, and their daughters, Ashley and Alyssa; and Jay Paulsen, Mason City, and his children, Christian and Sophia; sisters, Pat Barnes, Rockwell, and Pauline Garcia, Clear Lake; sisters-in-law, Catherine (Bill) Foster, and Ruth Lickteig; brother-in-law, Mike (Juddi) Lickteig, and many nieces and nephews, as well as extended family members and many friends.
Don is preceded in death by his parents; his mother- and father-in-law, Albert and Marie Lickteig; his son in infancy, Leo Edward Paulsen; and his siblings, Lauretta Cimijotti, Leonard Paulsen, Shirley Carroll, Thomas Paulsen, Howard Paulsen, Clara Mae Williamson, Doris Grube, Barbara Fountas and Kenneth Paulsen.
Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City, IA 50401; 641-423-2372. ColonialChapels.com