The funeral service for Vernetta Pearl Paulsen of Geneva will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Community Lutheran Church, Geneva. The Rev. Carrie McElfresh will officiate. Interment will be in the Geneva Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Ellendale and one hour before the service at the church.
She was born on July 30, 1917, near Clarks Grove, the daughter of Irvin and Anna (Paulsen) Christensen. She grew up on the family farm west of Clarks Grove. She attended grade school in Clarks Grove and graduated from Albert Lea High School where she participated in the band.
She was married to John “Jack” Paulsen in Mason City, Iowa, on June 1, 1937. In February 1938, they moved to the farm they had purchased northeast of Geneva. Vernetta was an active member of Community Lutheran Church in Geneva where she had been a Sunday School Superintendent and teacher. She was an officer and member of the Ladies Aid, Mission Circle and quilting group. She was also a member of the East Geneva Neighbors, Freeborn County Extension Club and the Geneva Senior Citizens Club. Vernetta enjoyed gardening, tending many flowers, reading, and corresponding with relatives and friends near and far.
The couple resided on their family farm for over 60 years, until the death of Jack in 1998. Vernetta moved from the farm to Geneva in 2004 and to Country Neighbors in New Richland in 2006, then the New Richland Care Center in 2007.
Vernetta died on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, at the New Richland Care Center. She was 91.
She is survived by three sons: Corlyn Paulsen and his wife Janice of Lakeville, Larry Paulsen and his wife Elaine of St. Cloud, Daryl Paulsen and his wife Kathy of Geneva; grandchildren: Cindy and her husband Perry Fuerniss of Lonsdale, Cheri and her husband Tim Wilson of Sioux Falls, S.D., Kristin and her husband Russell Zinke of Park Rapids, Craig Paulsen of Lakeville, Krista Paulsen of Rochester, Carla and her husband Cory Haugen of Fredrick, Md., Kimberly and her husband Mike Luhring of Albert Lea and Keralyn Paulsen of Shakopee; 14 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Paul Wagner of Groton, S.D.; sister-in-law, Marguerite Christensen of Sunray, Texas; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jack; sisters: Priscilla and Vanda; brothers: Marlett and Wilmer; daughter-in-law, Marlene Paulsen; and grandson, John Paulsen.