Delano "Del" Paulson, beloved husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2025 at the age of 92. He was born in Centerville, SD on March 17, 1933. His family moved to a farm southeast of West Concord, MN when he was 9 and he lived in that area for the rest of his life. He built a family home in 1960 and lived there with his family until he and wife Joan moved into Prairie Meadows Senior Living in 2022.
He grew up in a loving family where he was taught the Christian faith and values that would shape his life. He was the third of five strapping boys born to GI and Ida Paulson. He shared a loving bond with his brothers Leroy, Duane, Russ and Glendon. He married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Knipple, in 1954 after he came home from serving in the Marine Corps. They had 3 kids (Brad, Sonja and Glenda) and were enjoying raising their young family when Joyce found out that she had cancer. After fighting the disease, she passed away in 1967.
Later Del was introduced to Joan Bruce, a nursing instructor from Rochester, MN and they eventually married in 1968. They were married for 55 years and they added 3 more children (Timothy, Lance and Bruce). Timothy passed away from complications a week after he was born. In all Del had 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. His family was his pride and joy, and he loved to cheer on his kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, nieces and nephews in their activities including sports, music, plays, dances, church events, school events, their careers, starting their own families, and especially in their own faith journeys. He loved to get together with his many Paulson relatives and his extended cousins from the large extended Rude family relations. He and Joan would host gatherings at their house and he really enjoyed getting a game of volleyball started in the backyard.
He attended a small, country elementary school where he was allowed to skip the 6th grade because there weren't any boys in his grade. Because of this he graduated from Dodge Center High School in 1950 at 17 years old. He was ready to join the Marine Corps, but his mother wouldn't sign the papers to allow him to join early so he had to wait until his 18th birthday to enlist. In 1951 he shipped out to Camp Pendleton in southern California where he served his 3-year service commitment. He was an instructor and worked with thousands of recruits every 3 months on their way to Korea. He enjoyed this time of his life so much that it's hard to believe that he was actually in the old-school, leatherneck Marine Corps because it sounded so fun. He talked about playing volleyball on the beach near San Clemente on his free time and was a proud Marine for the rest of his life.
In 1954 Del left the glamorous life of guns and beach volleyball to come home and marry his sweetheart, Joyce. Soon after they started a family and he began farming with his oldest brother Leroy. Later on, he got out of farming and into government work. After that, he did several different jobs in his life from selling cars, to doing construction and contracting work, to selling insurance & securities. Del got involved in politics and ran for president of the National Farmer’s Organization (NFO) in 1975. He was a consistent volunteer for elections and other grassroots political work for most of his life.
His faith in Jesus Christ defined his life. He loved and served his family, his church and community. Del was extremely friendly and outgoing and had a way to connect with anyone whether they were a young kid, a stubborn teenager, or a senior citizen. Throughout his life he served in his local church in many roles including as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader, and more. Del was actively involved in Gideon’s International and enjoyed speaking at churches around southeastern Minnesota about the need to spread God's word with Gideon Bibles. Some of his community service activities included serving on the local school board, the Camp Lebanon board, the Marine Corps League and on the board of the West Concord Historical Society. He was always ready to do heavy yard work or projects for his family and friends, even well into his 70s and 80s. He loved to work with Joan to take care of their apple trees and tend their large vegetable garden.
All of his kids still quote him saying "Stand up straight and pull your shoulders back" as he tried to turn us into good, little Marines. He made an impression on everyone he met as he'd walk up to them, give them a firm handshake and say "Hello. I'm Del Paulson. What's your name? And where are you from?" We can picture him going around heaven and doing that right now. He had a deep, baritone voice and used it singing in church choirs and men's quartets. Sports was another favorite pastime of his, including playing volleyball and watching his kids and grandkids play on their various teams. Del was an encourager and liked to share his appreciation for the skills and effort he saw others demonstrate. He was also a helper and he liked to give advice from his vast store of wisdom. Del never lost his quick wit even when his memory was fading and he continued to win people over with his funny and endearing quips. His family and friends will miss how he could light up a room with his presence and how special he made everyone feel.
Del was predeceased by wife Joan Paulson, wife Joyce Paulson, son Timothy Paulson (infant); parents GI and Ida Paulson; brothers Leroy (Helen) Paulson, Duane (Doris) Paulson, and Glendon Paulson (age 13).
He is survived by his children Brad (Susan) Paulson of West Concord, MN; Sonja (Gary) Cowles of Staples, MN; Glenda (Dave) Andrews of West Concord, MN; Lance (Kristen) Paulson of Chaska, MN; and Bruce (Kathy) Paulson of Woodbury, MN; brother Russ (Lois) Paulson of Mount Pleasant, SC. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Del's life will be held at 1:30 PM on May 6, 2025 at Faith Community Church (West Concord, MN) preceded by a visitation from 12:30 to 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith Community Church (West Concord, MN), the Gideons International, and the West Concord Historical Society (West Concord, MN).
