Ellen Paulsen
Ellen I. Paulsen, 103, of Grand Island, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 27, 2024 at Primrose Retirement Community in Grand Island.
Funeral services were held on Monday, June 3, 2024 at the First Presbyterian Church in St. Paul. Doug McHargue officiated.
Musical selections included “Theme From Mystic River,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “St. Paul Polka.”
Pallbearers included Jeff Erwine, Brian Heeren, Dave Renter, Gus Renter, Calvin Renter, and Troy Lukasiewicz.
Honorary pallbearers were Art Moeller, Artie Moeller, Ryan Hall, and Bob Ewers.
Interment was in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul.
Jacobsen- Greenway- Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul assisted the family.
Ellen was born on March 19, 1921 to Martin and Carrie (Olson) Mortensen in Cushing.
She graduated from Cushing High School in 1940 and went on to continue her education at Bonnell Beauty Academy in Hastings.
She was united in marriage to Raymond Paulsen on February 8, 1946. The couple made their home on a farm near St. Paul. She worked as a beautician for many years, working at French’s Beauty Salon in St. Paul. In her later years, she helped out at the Red Carpet Salon in St. Paul. She was a wonderful seamstress and enjoyed working at Bryan Jensen Clothing, focusing on alterations.
Ellen believed in the value of a good work ethic and was the true definition of a “homemaker.” She attended to the farm chores as well as keeping her family fed with her love for cooking and baking. She will be remembered for her amazing apple pies, which will always be a family favorite. Together, Ray and Ellen raised two children, Elaine and Glenn. The couple enjoyed dancing, card clubs, as well as traveling. Two of their most memorable vacations were spent touring Europe for fourteen days and Hawaii for ten days. The family enjoyed going camping and fishing, especially in South Dakota. Ray passed away in 2005. In 2006, Ellen joined the Matelyn Retirement Community in St. Paul. In April of 2010, Ellen moved to Primrose Retirement Community in Grand Island. In those fourteen years, she became like family to them.
Besides her passion to be busy in the kitchen, Ellen also enjoyed sewing and gardening. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in St. Paul, the St. Paul American Legion Auxiliary, and the Platt Duetsche Club and Eagles Club, both in Grand Island.
Those left to carry on her memory include her son, Glenn Paulsen of Grand Island; daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Jim Powell of Grand Island; sister, Florence “Elaine” Cline of Omaha; granddaughter, Becky (Dave) Renter of Manhattan, Kansas; and great-grandchildren, Calvin and Gus Renter, both of Manhattan, Kansas. Also left to cherish her memory include numerous nieces and nephews.
Ellen was welcomed into heaven by her parents; husband, Ray; granddaughter, Tina Gill; sister and brotherin- law, Dorothy and Don Wagner; brothers and sisters-in-law, Donald and Estella Mortensen and Howard and Virginia Mortensen; and brotherin- law, Gene Cline.
The Phonograph-Herald | June 5, 2024