Verna Nell Paulson

Verna N. Paulson 100 of Brooten died on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, at Community Memorial Home in Osakis, MN.  Her funeral service will be 10:30 am Saturday, October 8, at Big Grove Lutheran Church in rural Brooten.  Burial will be at the church cemetery.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

 

Verna Nell Paulson was born on June 4, 1916, in Hanska, Minnesota, the daughter of Peter and Mattie (Grotto) Broste.  She grew up on the family farm, and was baptized and confirmed at Lake Hanska Lutheran Church.  Verna attended a small country school close to her family farm, and graduated from Madelia High School with the Class of 1934. 

 

On February 29, 1936, Verna was united in marriage to Paul Paulson at her grandmother’s home.  This union was blessed with six daughters and three sons.  The family made their home in rural Brooten where Verna and Paul farmed.  Verna loved her farm; they purchased it in 1940, and she stilled owned it at the time of her death.  She was able to live there until age 90, when her health forced her to move to Community Memorial Home in Osakis. 

 

Verna was a devout Christian.  She began teaching Sunday school at the age of 16 and continued teaching it throughout her life.  As a member of Big Grove Lutheran Church, Verna volunteered her time in many ways, including the Alter Guild, Bible studies, and WELCA, to name a few.  Verna had always dreamed of visiting the Holy Land where so many of the Bible Stories she had studied throughout her life originated.  That dream was realized when she traveled there with her daughter and son-in-law, Jacqueline and Herb Hanson. 

 

Verna also loved gardening.  She grew what seemed like acres of vegetables, and was a talented flower gardener also.    Verna was known for her hostas, she grew thousands of them and shared them with family and neighbors.   Verna possessed a great sense of community, she loved her neighbors and they all helped each other continuously through life.  Above all else, Verna loved her family.  She loved spending time with her grandchildren, and witnessing their families. 

 

Verna N. Paulson died on October 4, 2016, at the age of 100.  She is survived by her daughters: Jacqueline Hanson of Becker, Virginia Mohr of Willmar, Patricia (Wayne) Hagen of New London, Barbara (Gary) Hanson of Belgrade, and Glory (Bryan) Schreifels of Brooten; sons: Roger (Geneva) of Eagle Bend, Justen (Marsha) of Long Prairie, and Bruce (Mary Jo) of Brooten; and by her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. 

 

Verna was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul; infant daughter, Mary Elizabeth; infant granddaughter, Abigail Mohr; granddaughter, Sara Paulson; grandson, Dale Hanson; sons-in-law, Herbert Hanson and Albert Mohr; brothers: Milton and Ervey Broste; and her sister, Evelyn Johnson.