Dorothea Paulsen
November 12, 1919 — December 1, 2017
Dorothea Catherine (Oehlertz) Paulsen was born November 12, 1919 to Rudy and Ella Oehlertz in Avoca, Iowa. She grew up on the family farm with sisters Betty, Ramona, and brother, Norman. Dorothea was always a lover of music and was encouraged by her grandmother. She learned to play the guitar, violin, and piano, and often played with her uncle’s orchestra.
On January 1, 1940, Dorothea was united in marriage to Robert M. Paulsen in Ida Grove, Iowa. They farmed on the Paulsen Family Farm for one year until moving into town and renting a house for $10 per month. While Bob was in the service, Dorothea continued to live in Avoca, where she worked for Bill Hinz Grocery and as a housekeeper for Harry and Irene Tingleff. In 1946, Dorothy and Bob were blessed with twin daughters, Marlus Diane and Marian Kay. Marian Kay passed away after only three days. Two years later, Cheryl Renee was born, followed by Doug in 1952.
In addition to Bob working for the U.S. Postal Service, the couple built and opened the Parkway Drive Inn on June 21, 1958, which they operated until selling the business in 1977.
Dorothy was a lifetime member of the First Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church, where she sang with the Senior Choir and was a member of Ladies Aid. She enjoyed bowling, golfing, and dancing, as well as playing her organ. She was always very active, golfing yet at age 80, and taking her last horse ride at age 81.
In 2008, Dorothy and Bob moved to Peace Haven Retirement Home in Walnut, residing there until 2010. Due to health issues, they moved to Grand Haven Assisted Living in Eldridge, Iowa, where Dorothy resided until she died on December 1, 2017, having attained the age of 98 years and 19 days. In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her daughter, Marian Kay; her husband of 71 years, Robert; siblings Betty Foote, Ramona Shifett, and Norman Oehlertz.
She is survived by daughters Marlus and her husband, James Reser, of Milford, IA; Cheryl Langer of Council Bluffs, IA; and son Doug Paulsen and his wife, Vickie, of Eldridge, IA; seven grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
On January 1, 1940, Dorothea was united in marriage to Robert M. Paulsen in Ida Grove, Iowa. They farmed on the Paulsen Family Farm for one year until moving into town and renting a house for $10 per month. While Bob was in the service, Dorothea continued to live in Avoca, where she worked for Bill Hinz Grocery and as a housekeeper for Harry and Irene Tingleff. In 1946, Dorothy and Bob were blessed with twin daughters, Marlus Diane and Marian Kay. Marian Kay passed away after only three days. Two years later, Cheryl Renee was born, followed by Doug in 1952.
In addition to Bob working for the U.S. Postal Service, the couple built and opened the Parkway Drive Inn on June 21, 1958, which they operated until selling the business in 1977.
Dorothy was a lifetime member of the First Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church, where she sang with the Senior Choir and was a member of Ladies Aid. She enjoyed bowling, golfing, and dancing, as well as playing her organ. She was always very active, golfing yet at age 80, and taking her last horse ride at age 81.
In 2008, Dorothy and Bob moved to Peace Haven Retirement Home in Walnut, residing there until 2010. Due to health issues, they moved to Grand Haven Assisted Living in Eldridge, Iowa, where Dorothy resided until she died on December 1, 2017, having attained the age of 98 years and 19 days. In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her daughter, Marian Kay; her husband of 71 years, Robert; siblings Betty Foote, Ramona Shifett, and Norman Oehlertz.
She is survived by daughters Marlus and her husband, James Reser, of Milford, IA; Cheryl Langer of Council Bluffs, IA; and son Doug Paulsen and his wife, Vickie, of Eldridge, IA; seven grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and friends.
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