Barbara Kay Paulsen

BARABARA KAY PAULSEN was born to Bernard and Kathryn (Jackson) Hjermstad on February 10, 1936 in Madison, South Dakota. When she was a year old, she moved with her family to Mitchell, South Dakota. In 1940, they moved to Pipestone, Minnesota where she was raised and attended school. While she was attending high school, she worked part-time at the Orpheum Theater. She also worked at J.C. Penneys, and in the superintendent’s office at the school. After her graduation from Pipestone High School in 1954, she worked for Dr. Burton Keller. She also worked at the Montgomery Ward Store in Pipestone. On April 10, 1956, she was united in marriage to Richard Paulsen at St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they lived on the Paulsen family farm in Grange Township of Pipestone County. In 1996, they began spending the winter months in Mesa, Arizona. They moved back home to Pipestone permanently in 2013 after the death of their son, Steve. In January of 2021, they moved to Ridgeview Estates. On April 18, 2022, Barbara went to be with her Lord and Savior at the age of 86 years, 2 months, and 8 days.

Barbara lived a very service oriented life and was a very active member in her community. She was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone since 1939 where she served as a choir member, Eucharistic Minister, and Advisory Board Member. She was active in the Pipestone Catholic Church Women, serving as the Diocesan Secretary, Vice Chairman, Chairman, and 3 terms as Commission Chairman. She also served the Winona Diocesan Catholic Church Women as Secretary and co-chaired and chaired commissions while serving. She was very active with the children of the parish, serving as a Sunday School teacher for 25 years, and Religion Director for four years. She served on the YMCA Board, served as the Co-Chairperson of the Band Parents Board, served as a 4-H Project Leader, was a member of the Pipestone Junior High School Band Board, co-chaired the Band Trip to Portland, and was the Assistant Softball Coach for Little League. She enjoyed doing ceramics, Christmas decorating, playing cards, cooking and baking. She was an avid reader, and she loved to read pioneer novels and mysteries. Barb loved dogs, especially her German Shepherd, Taya. She even donated to a K-9 training charity.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Dick Paulsen of Pipestone, Minnesota; her children, Patricia (Morey) VanHoecke Pipestone, Pamela Paulsen of Pipestone, Carrie (Mark) Hiniker of Pipestone, and son-in-law Tom Szyman of Duluth, Minnesota; eight grandchildren, Bill, Chrissy, Richy, Kim, Emma, Chelsey, Brooklyn, and Aiden; great-grandchildren, Will, Matt, Carson, Trevin, Jaycee, Walker, Josephine, Charlotte, Reese, and Baby T; one brother, Dennis Hjermstad Vermillion, South Dakota; and one sister, Sharon Gearin of Shawnee, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Vanessa Szyman; son Steven Paulsen; two brothers, Timothy and Don; and sister-in-law Liz Hjermstad.