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Gwendolyn Anne Paulson, age 82, wife, mother, master teacher, pillar of her community, died Monday, September 22, 2025, in River Falls, Wisconsin.
She was born on February 5, 1943, in Joliet, Illinois, 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, Sunday, September 28, 2025, from 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM at HOPE Lutheran Church – 3337 Kingsbarn Ave, River Falls, WI. Funeral service was held Sunday at 3:00 PM at the church. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
8 Comments
Ed, Beth, Erik and Jon;
I am so sorry to hear of Gwen’s passing. I will remember her as an amazing, gentle and kind woman. Thank you to the entire family Paulson family for ALL that you do and have done for the River Falls community.
Corri (Skelton) Anderson
I couldn’t express my thoughts better than Corri already has. Just Ditto from us. Barb and Charlie Kolpin
We will miss Gwen. A significant light has gone out in the universe. While heaven has been enhanced by her presence, our world is a lesser place without her. Sixty years of time and over a thousand miles of separation never diminished our friendship nor our respect for her unique gifts. Her smile brightened the day of whoever she encountered. She was empathetic, caring, sincere, and kind. She was the most knowledgeable, most sensitive teacher we have ever known. She was a poet whose deep, intense, holiday words inspired and caused us to pause and reconsider our lives in new ways. She was an artist with a special touch. She was a woman of God who lived her faith and faced death fearlessly, knowing that a loving God would fully embrace her. In fact, her own words at Easter epitomize her beliefs (our message was too long, so we posted her words in the next one).
These are Gwen’s words at Easter in 2023: WITH CERTAINTY. The sun rises and sets, The rain cleans the creation, Acts of kindness reform the world, The sheltering cocoon bursts forth beauty, Unconditional love transforms my soul with joy, The resurrection of our Jesus bursts forth with Glorious Alleluias! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia He is risen, He has risen indeed! …….(from us: AS HAS SHE)
My heart hurts for you Ed. She was a wonderful kind soul. It was a privilege getting to know her.
Gwen was a delightful person, always with a lovely smile. She was a generous, active member of the community in so many ways. Both she and Ed were a joy to be around.
Uncle Ed, Jon, Erik and Beth: I love you all! Aunt Gwen is a special soul. Another star in the sky burns bright. I will miss you!
Gwen was one of the first teachers I met upon coming to Westside to be the new Principal in 1999. Her room was right across from the office (before the remodel). I remember watching Gwen greet her students by the door to that classroom each morning and also saying good bye to each student as they left for the day. She was a Master teacher and she taught me a lot about education and life. After inquiring, she suggested the 5 O’clock restaurant in Cumberland to me as a place to stop on the way to our cabin…and we love it to this day. She was such a quiet, humble, strong teaching force without ever really knowing it. God rest her soul.
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