Frederick O. Paulson, 92

Frederick O. “Fred” Paulson, age 92, formerly of Austin, passed away on Monday, May 6, 2024 at Birchwood Cottages in Owatonna, Minnesota.

Frederick Olaf Paulson was born February 4, 1932 in Preston, Minnesota to Olaf and Nellie (Wead) Paulson. He lived his first year in Preston and moved with his family to Austin in 1933. Fred attended Austin Public Schools and graduated from Austin High School in 1950. He attended Minnesota Bible College for a short time. In 1952, he moved to Norway to live with his grandfather and his Norwegian family for a year.

Fred returned to Austin and began his 30 year career with Hormel, working in the accounting office for 23 years and working on the guard force for seven years, retiring in 1981. In retirement, he went into a 20 year partnership owning a motel in Arizona and in 2000, Fred moved back to Austin.

Fred was a past president of the Sons of Norway from 1972-1973, a member of the Lions Club, and Cornerstone Church. He enjoyed duplicate bridge and bowling. Fred was hard-working and he loved talking with people. After a near death experience, his Christian faith was very important to him and he felt we had a responsibility to take care of each other. Fred would often say “If you want to cry because you’ll miss me, bawl your eyes out. If you cry because you feel sorry for me, don’t waste the tears because I’ve gone home.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, Olaf Paulson and Nellie Paulson Schmidt; step-father, Charlie Schmidt; an infant brother; five sisters, Claris, Darlene (Albert) Hanson, Elenor, Leona (Wayne) Hansen, and Betty (Adolf) Dockham.

Fred is survived by his sons, Scott Paulson of Austin, Minnesota, Mark Paulson of Austin, Minnesota; daughter, Sue (Kevin) Mullenbach of Austin, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Michael, Joseph, Rachel and Crystal Paulson, Kyle and Katie Mullenbach; eight great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Friday, May 10, 2024 at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary with the Reverend Cory Goetz officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-7 pm on Thursday and will continue for one hour before the service at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Friday. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery.

Arrangements by Clasen-Jordan Mortuary