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Ilene Catherine (Pickart) Paulsen
Ilene Catherine (Pickart) Paulsen
Keystone
Ilene Catherine (Pickart) Paulsen, age 91, of Coralville, formerly of Keystone, passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday, February 20, 2025.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, February 28, at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Van Horne with Father Jacob Dunne as celebrant. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., also at the church. The casket will be closed at all times. A private graveside burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery near Keystone after a luncheon.
Ilene was born on March 7, 1933, in Parkston, SD, to Anton and Lena (Bigge) Pickart. She moved with her family to Benton County in 1934 where she was raised. She graduated from Keystone High School in 1950. On November 14, 1950, Ilene married Herman “Herb” Paulsen at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vinton, IA. Together, Ilene and Herb built a life on their family farm near Keystone, where Ilene was a devoted stay-at-home mom raising their six children. She was an exceptional baker, known for her delicious breads, cookies, and pies, which she lovingly made for family and friends. She also enjoyed sewing, embroidery, and crossword puzzles. The couple moved to Coralville in 2011.
Ilene is survived by her children, Mark (Virginia) Paulsen of Elizabethtown, KY; Laurie Paulsen (Tom Roper) of Minneapolis, MN; Mindy Paulsen of Iowa City; Beth Paulsen of Ames; Jay (Lori) Paulsen of Iowa City; and Ellen (Tim) Vawter of West Des Moines; 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; siblings Mary Jane Schallau of Lincoln, NE; Richard (Dianne) Pickart of Van Horne; and Linda (Joe) Kaloupek of Elberon.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Herb; siblings Ed (Carol) Pickart; Dorothy (Verlus) Gloede, John (Charlene) Pickart; and brother-in-law David Schallau.
Ilene’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers of Lavender Lane Memory Care at Grand Living at Bridgewater in Coralville and Moments Hospice of Hiawatha for their compassionate end-of-life care.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Van Horne, or the North Liberty Community Pantry.
Online condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.
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