Betty Paulsen

Betty Louise Paulsen, 85, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Saturday, April 26, 2014, at the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa.

She was born March 1, 1929, to Nels and Katherine Jensen in Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Betty was raised and attended school in the rural Hancock and Avoca, Iowa, areas. She obtained her general education degree when her children where in high school. Betty was united in marriage to Clint Paulsen at the Avoca Lutheran Church on January 26, 1950. Clint passed away in 1980.

After Betty completed her eighth grade education she moved in with a family to work for them and help care for their children. She continued to do that until she got married. She and Clint farmed together until he passed away. She then moved in to Atlantic where she became very adept at woodworking. At St. Paul’s Lutheran Church she refinished and repaired the chapel alter along with reconstructing Jesus’ hand on the statue behind the alter when it had been broken off. She also enjoyed ceramics, needlepoint, knitting, gardening, sewing, and was learning to tat. At the age of 16, she won the national knitting contest. Betty remained active in the church and was a hospital volunteer.

Preceding Betty in death were her parents; husband, Clint Paulsen; a daughter, Deanna Davis; siblings, Elmer Jensen, Carl Jensen and Ellen Kjeldgaard; daughter-in-law, Charlotte Paulsen; sisters-in-law, Ellen Jensen and Leila Jensen; and a brother-in-law, John Baker.

Those surviving Betty are her children, Dwayne (Phyllis) Paulsen of Emerson, IA, Debra (Gary) Williams of Atlantic, IA and Dallas (Lori) Paulsen of Atlantic, IA; 24 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Leonard Davis of Onawa, IA; sister, Elsie Baker of Council Bluffs, IA; brother, Robert Jensen of Tenant, IA; and her in-laws, Frances Jensen of Harlan, IA, Howard Kjeldgaard (Mary) of Omaha, NE and Chuck (Marlys) Martens of Walnut, IA.

Memorials may be directed to the family for designation at a later date.

Visitation with family will be from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m., with the memorial service starting at 11:00 a.m. all on Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa.