Raymond Paulson

Raymond Paulson, 87, of Lake Park, MN, died Monday, October 12, 2020, at the Minnesota Veterans Home, Fergus Falls, MN.

Raymond Leonard Paulson was born in Pierpont, SD to Bennie & Alma (Mahlen) Paulson. He grew up with six older brothers and attended school in Webster, SD where he was active in band, choir, track and football.

Ray married his childhood sweetheart, Edlyn Somdahl, soon after enlisting in the USAF.  Their first home was at Chanute AB in Rantoul, IL where their son, Randall, was born. Ray was later transferred to Ellsworth AB, Rapid City, SD, where their first daughter, Kathryn, was born.  Four months later, Ray was sent overseas for a year and a half.  During that time he was stationed in northern Africa and while there he had opportunities for (work) visits to Spain, France, Germany and Italy.

Upon his return to the US, he joined his young family and they settled in Moorhead, MN where Ray attended and graduated from Moorhead State with a BS degree in education.  Ray accepted a teaching position in Pine River, MN teaching math and industrial arts for two years before accepting an engineering position with Ford Motor Co in St Paul.  While working at Ford, Ray attended night classes at the University of Minnesota and earned a degree in Industrial Engineering.  Ray was always proud to say that, although he was a HS dropout, he went on to earn two college degrees.

Ray spent the rest of his career designing and setting up warehouses for companies such as Super Valu, Green Giant, WI Consolidated Paper Co., Thermo-King and others. Prior to his retirement, he enjoyed having his own consulting business.

Ray and Edlyn were blessed with another daughter, Karen, while living in Bloomington, MN which once again provided Ray the opportunity to enjoy being dad to a newborn. He loved his family and he especially enjoyed taking them camping, tent camping & canoeing initially; later in a camper trailer hooked behind Ray’s yellow International Scout with a canoe strapped on top and Ray singing, “Off we go into the wild blue yonder”!

After retirement, Ray & Edlyn purchased Edlyn’s mother’s home on Turtle Lake in MN where they were able to provide a home for Edlyn’s mother until her death.  Ray completely remodeled their home and then spent his time fishing and enjoying pontoon rides with neighbors, making turnings on his wood lathe, building toys for the grandkids and just “puttering”.  He had a deep faith and was active in church, singing in the choir, serving on the church council, and staying busy with various small projects around the church.  In his later years, he loved attending Edlyn’s band practices and would sit contentedly, listening for over an hour each week.

He loved his family, he loved his country and he was always grateful for the opportunities afforded him as a result of his service time.  We, his family, are so grateful for the wonderful care and love shown Ray as a resident of the Fergus Falls Veterans Home.

Survivors include his wife Edlyn, son Randall (Nancy), daughter Kathryn (Jim), daughter Karen (Jeff) Meinert, six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, brother Jerome (Ardis), nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers Lloyd, Clarence, Bernard, Donald and Allen.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials to Lake Park Lutheran Roof Fund or Alzheimer’s Research.