Lotus Jeanette Paulsen
January 31, 1931 — July 22, 2016
Lotus Jeanette Paulsen
Lotus Jeanette was born on January 31, 1931 in Harlan, Iowa to Russell and Anna (Sieck) Rold. She was baptized at the English Lutheran Church on April 5, 1931 and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa on April 11, 1954. She has been a member of Trinity ever since. She attended Country School #8, and then graduated with the Avoca High School Class of 1948. After high school Lotus took a job at Citizen’s Savings Bank.
Lotus married Ned Richard Paulsen on September 30, 1952 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa. They were blessed with six children: Kathy, Karen, Karla, Kerri, Neil and Nolan. Once her children were born she spent her time being a homemaker and mother.
After Ned’s death in 1981 she worked three different jobs - selling insurance, Citizen’s Bank and the Assistant Librarian at the Avoca Public Library. The longest employment was at the Library, retiring in 2009. She cared for her parents and aunt in their later years.
She enjoyed genealogy, quilting, reading, bird watching, bowling, and sewing. She was famous for her lemon jelly roll and white Christmas pie. Her favorite thing was to have all of her family around the kitchen table.
Lotus was involved at Trinity Lutheran Church with TLCW, Altar Guild, Bible Study. She was a faithful volunteer stepping in whenever needed. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Harlan, IA, P.E.O., Oakland Genealogy Society, and the Avoca Retired Business Women.
Lotus passed away after a valiant battle with leukemia on Friday, July 22, 2016 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa. She had attained the age of eighty five years, five months and twenty two days. Preceding her in death were her parents Russell and Anna, and husband Ned.
Left to cherish her memory are her children: Kathy (Gary) Soetmelk of Avoca, Iowa; Karen (Bill) Brandenburg of Lake Forest, CA; Karla (David) Christensen of Clive, IA; Kerri (Marc) Mathews of San Diego, CA; Neil (Deb) Paulsen of Avoca, IA; Nolan (Lisa) Paulsen of Omaha, NE; grandchildren: Shawn (Jamie) Soetmelk; Aaron (Jackie) Soetmelk; Zachery (Sara Beth) Soetmelk; Bryce Soetmelk and special friend Tshaunda; Abby Brandenburg, Melanie Brandenburg; Joshua Brandenburg; Emily (Paul) Blake; Tessa (Evan) Randolph; Alec Mathews, Jenna Mathews; Nicholas Paulsen and special friend Emily Martin; Breanna (Joe) Osbahr; Rachel (James) Johnson; Brent (Anna) Pauley; Jeff Pauley; Eric Paulsen and special friend Dani Jorgensen; great grandchildren Eric, Savannah, Kaylee, and Ezra Sotemelk; Lucas Randolph; Sidni, Tyson, Tucker Osbahr; Jaelyn, Kieghan, Jagger Johnson; Harper Pauley and Kaya Henley.
In Lieu of Flowers the family asks that donations be made to the following places; Trinity Lutheran Church, Avoca Public Library, Cancer Society- Leukemia Research.
Lotus Jeanette was born on January 31, 1931 in Harlan, Iowa to Russell and Anna (Sieck) Rold. She was baptized at the English Lutheran Church on April 5, 1931 and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa on April 11, 1954. She has been a member of Trinity ever since. She attended Country School #8, and then graduated with the Avoca High School Class of 1948. After high school Lotus took a job at Citizen’s Savings Bank.
Lotus married Ned Richard Paulsen on September 30, 1952 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa. They were blessed with six children: Kathy, Karen, Karla, Kerri, Neil and Nolan. Once her children were born she spent her time being a homemaker and mother.
After Ned’s death in 1981 she worked three different jobs - selling insurance, Citizen’s Bank and the Assistant Librarian at the Avoca Public Library. The longest employment was at the Library, retiring in 2009. She cared for her parents and aunt in their later years.
She enjoyed genealogy, quilting, reading, bird watching, bowling, and sewing. She was famous for her lemon jelly roll and white Christmas pie. Her favorite thing was to have all of her family around the kitchen table.
Lotus was involved at Trinity Lutheran Church with TLCW, Altar Guild, Bible Study. She was a faithful volunteer stepping in whenever needed. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Harlan, IA, P.E.O., Oakland Genealogy Society, and the Avoca Retired Business Women.
Lotus passed away after a valiant battle with leukemia on Friday, July 22, 2016 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa. She had attained the age of eighty five years, five months and twenty two days. Preceding her in death were her parents Russell and Anna, and husband Ned.
Left to cherish her memory are her children: Kathy (Gary) Soetmelk of Avoca, Iowa; Karen (Bill) Brandenburg of Lake Forest, CA; Karla (David) Christensen of Clive, IA; Kerri (Marc) Mathews of San Diego, CA; Neil (Deb) Paulsen of Avoca, IA; Nolan (Lisa) Paulsen of Omaha, NE; grandchildren: Shawn (Jamie) Soetmelk; Aaron (Jackie) Soetmelk; Zachery (Sara Beth) Soetmelk; Bryce Soetmelk and special friend Tshaunda; Abby Brandenburg, Melanie Brandenburg; Joshua Brandenburg; Emily (Paul) Blake; Tessa (Evan) Randolph; Alec Mathews, Jenna Mathews; Nicholas Paulsen and special friend Emily Martin; Breanna (Joe) Osbahr; Rachel (James) Johnson; Brent (Anna) Pauley; Jeff Pauley; Eric Paulsen and special friend Dani Jorgensen; great grandchildren Eric, Savannah, Kaylee, and Ezra Sotemelk; Lucas Randolph; Sidni, Tyson, Tucker Osbahr; Jaelyn, Kieghan, Jagger Johnson; Harper Pauley and Kaya Henley.
In Lieu of Flowers the family asks that donations be made to the following places; Trinity Lutheran Church, Avoca Public Library, Cancer Society- Leukemia Research.
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