Paulsen, Ruth Anna (Franzenburg)

Ruth Anna (Franzenburg) Paulsen, 91, of Dubuque, formerly of Cedar Rapids, passed away Dec. 5, 2013, at Luther Manor Nursing Home in Dubuque. Ruth's Memorial Service will be Sunday, Dec. 8, at 1 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories in Cedar Rapids. Visitation and a light luncheon will follow the service at Cedar Memorial Park Family Center. Interment will be in Keystone Cemetery, Keystone, at a later date.

Ruth was born Jan. 22, 1922, to John and Louise Franzenburg on a farm near Keystone, Iowa. She attended Keystone Lutheran School and graduated from Keystone High School in 1939. Ruth received a primary education degree from Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) and taught at Dunbar, Monticello, Boone and Iowa City.

On Sept. 9, 1945, Ruth married her high school classmate, Donald Paulsen, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Keystone. They had four children: Gretchen in Iowa City, Greg in Cleveland, Ohio, Glenda in Augsburg, Germany, and Gordon in Victor, Iowa.

She belonged to PEO, Embroiderer's Guild, and enjoyed needle crafts. She loved animals and teaching tricks to her dogs and birds.

Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Ruth is survived by three children, Gretchen (Bill) Enke of Fort Dodge, Greg (Mary Coan) Paulsen of Dubuque and Gordon Paulsen of Cedar Rapids; seven grandchildren, Erika (Matt) Klitzke, Kristen (BJ) Green, Elizabeth (Jon) Midgette, Luke Paulsen (finacee Emily Werder), Ben (Amanda) Paulsen, Hana Paulsen and Adam Paulsen; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Donald; daughter, Glenda Paulsen; parents, John and Louise Franzenburg; twin sister, Ruby Rice; and brother, Howard Franzenburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Keystone Cemetery, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Dubuque, Luther Manor, Dubuque, or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.

Published Dec. 7, 2013 in The Gazette