Gwendolyn Anne Paulson, age 82, wife, mother, master teacher, pillar of her community, died Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, in River Falls, Wis.
She was born on Feb. 5, 1943, in Joliet, Ill., a daughter of Raymond and Esther (Ziesemer) Parlin. She was united in marriage to Ed Paulson. She was a 1965 graduate of Wartburg College and later earned her master’s degree in educational leadership from St. Mary’s University in 1999. She was a K-1 teacher for Westside Elementary School; she served as the executive secretary for the National Association of Social Workers and was an administrative secretary for Ezekiel Lutheran Church. Gwen loved learning. There were books everywhere growing up, encyclopedias, Dr. Seuss, a giant family Bible in German, Scrooge McDuck comics. Gwen’s grandfather had been a college professor and passed on the love of reading. Gwen loved her friends and some of her friendships spanned 70 years. She was involved in numerous book clubs, bridge groups, mah jong, and civic organizations. Dad and Mom made it regularly to their Thursday Night Club meeting at Juniors. She attended for the last time at a party at their home of 45 years. She was a creator. She made quilts and clothing—Halloween costumes, peace flags and prayer flags, banners for worship, and back in the 70s full suits of clothing. She taught herself to cook gourmet meals and there was always plenty of delicious food at holidays. Gwen played the piano and sang in choirs. She loved the Christmas Messiah and never missed the St. Croix Valley Chamber Chorale. She also built a loving family, a large and supportive group of friends, and was a lifetime member of AAUW. She donated time, money, and talent to the Sierra Club, Oxfam International, the Salvation Army, Public television and radio, Ezekiel Lutheran Church, and HOPE Lutheran Church of which she was a founding member. She will be remembered for her gentle kindness, her willingness to go the extra mile for anyone, and her deep faith.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Esther Parlin and brother, Elwyn Parlin. She is survived by her husband, Ed; children, Beth (Hal) Heroux, Erik (Shelley Bawiec) Paulson, Jon Paulson; grandsons Rhys Paulson (Erik and Shelley Paulson) and Brandon Fluegge (Jon Paulson) as well as hundreds of friends and former students.
Visitation was held from 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, at HOPE Lutheran Church (3337 Kingsbarn Ave., River Falls, WI). Funeral service was held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the church. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
