Margit Paulsen
October 3, 1935 — September 30, 2024
Margit Ruth (Madsen) Paulsen, who died on September 30, 2024 at her home in Council Bluffs, Iowa, was born on a farm near Marne, Iowa on October 3, 1935. She was the second child of Oga and Ella Madsen, who immigrated from Denmark in 1931. Her earliest education took place in a one-room country school, to which she walked every day with her sisters. She graduated from high school as Valedictorian of her class in Shelby.
After graduation she moved to Omaha where she met John Paulsen, they were married in 1956 but later divorced. John and Margit lived briefly in Council Bluffs before moving to John's hometown of Irwin, Iowa. They were the parents of three children, Lisa, Andrea, and Joel.
When Joel started school Margit did also, working toward a BA in Elementary Education. Later she returned to school and received two Master's degrees, one in School Counseling and the other in Special Education. She began her teaching career in Irwin and then became a Special Education Consultant for AEA 13. She finished her career as Director of Special Education for the Council Bluffs School District.
After retiring, Margit was on the Board of Directors for Children's Square and also volunteered as an usher at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha for many years. She also spent considerable time attending her grandchildren's school events. Margit indulged her love of travel taking the grandchildren on trips to New York and Europe. She also made trips with her sister, Mary Jane, to Africa, Antarctica, and the Galápagos Islands as well as many trips to Denmark to visit family.
Preceding Margit in death were her parents, sisters Mitzi Fox and Karen Madsen Furlong, two nieces and two nephews. She is survived by her children Lisa (David) Putnam of Lake View, Iowa, Andrea (Allan) Olson of Griswold, Iowa, and Joel (Corina) Paulsen of Williamsburg, Virginia, her eight grandchildren Lindsay, Leslie, Zachary, Tyler, Leah, Brian, Thomas, and Emma and ten great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Mary Jane Kaplan of New York, brother-in-law John Furlong of Massachusetts, nephews Steve (Tricia) Fox and Robert (Jean) Fox and dear friends Dixie Thompson, Pudge McMahon, and Shirley Piper.
A private family interment will take place at the Shelby Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials will be directed to Children’s Square in Council Bluffs.
After graduation she moved to Omaha where she met John Paulsen, they were married in 1956 but later divorced. John and Margit lived briefly in Council Bluffs before moving to John's hometown of Irwin, Iowa. They were the parents of three children, Lisa, Andrea, and Joel.
When Joel started school Margit did also, working toward a BA in Elementary Education. Later she returned to school and received two Master's degrees, one in School Counseling and the other in Special Education. She began her teaching career in Irwin and then became a Special Education Consultant for AEA 13. She finished her career as Director of Special Education for the Council Bluffs School District.
After retiring, Margit was on the Board of Directors for Children's Square and also volunteered as an usher at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha for many years. She also spent considerable time attending her grandchildren's school events. Margit indulged her love of travel taking the grandchildren on trips to New York and Europe. She also made trips with her sister, Mary Jane, to Africa, Antarctica, and the Galápagos Islands as well as many trips to Denmark to visit family.
Preceding Margit in death were her parents, sisters Mitzi Fox and Karen Madsen Furlong, two nieces and two nephews. She is survived by her children Lisa (David) Putnam of Lake View, Iowa, Andrea (Allan) Olson of Griswold, Iowa, and Joel (Corina) Paulsen of Williamsburg, Virginia, her eight grandchildren Lindsay, Leslie, Zachary, Tyler, Leah, Brian, Thomas, and Emma and ten great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Mary Jane Kaplan of New York, brother-in-law John Furlong of Massachusetts, nephews Steve (Tricia) Fox and Robert (Jean) Fox and dear friends Dixie Thompson, Pudge McMahon, and Shirley Piper.
A private family interment will take place at the Shelby Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials will be directed to Children’s Square in Council Bluffs.
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