Phyllis “Colleen” Paulson, 95, of Emmetsburg and formerly of Perry passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, at the Palo Alto County Hospital, surrounded by her family and under the care of the hospital’s compassionate hospice care team.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, Nov. 3 at 10:30 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Graettinger, Iowa. Concelebrants will be the Rev. Paul Kelly and the Rev. Michael Sernett. Visitation will be Thirsday, Nov. 2 from 4-6 p.m. at the Martin-Mattice Funeral Home in Emmetsburg. Inurnment will be at the High Lake Cemetery in Wallingford, Iowa.
Colleen was born Jan. 1, 1928, to Frances (Maloney) and the late Ona Reynolds in Estherville, Iowa, where she grew up and attended school.
She met Jerome Kenneth Paulson at the Estherville skating rink in the 1940s, and they were united in marriage on Nov. 12, 1947, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
Colleen started her family in Estherville while she and Jerome started exploring the ice cream industry, opening the first Dairy Queen in Estherville and later in Emmetsburg. They then moved to Florida before finding a home in Perry.
Colleen and Jerome owned and operated the popular Dairy Stripe in Perry and Adel for 25 years — home of the Turtle Sundae and known for its coney dogs and the Paulson family’s customer service.
They later retired to High Lake in Wallingford, Iowa.
Colleen was involved for years in the High Lake Improvement Association, Sons of Norway and the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Graettinger.
She enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends on the West Coast, bus trips to Branson, Missouri, and was a fantastic baker who will be remembered for her perfected Norwegian Kringla. In her lifetime, she likely baked tens of thousands of Kringla and shared them with all of her friends and family.
In 2016 Colleen moved to Willow Ridge Independent Living in Emmetsburg, where she enjoyed her weekly card club and connections and conversations with her dear friends.
More than anything, Colleen enjoyed time with her family. She hosted an annual Labor Day Christmas celebration at High Lake and later at Willow Ridge, and family would travel from coast to coast to spend a weekend in northwest Iowa, enjoying Colleen’s company, a large gift exchange, rhubarb pie and the Christmas spirit at the end of summer.
Colleen will be remembered for her generosity, quick wit and stubborn Irish spirit. She was adored as a strong and loving mom, grandma, aunt and dear friend.
Colleen is survived by four of her children, Keith Paulson of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Linda (Greg) Luethje of Cedar Falls, J. B. Paulson of Wallingford, Iowa, and Jennifer Williams of Rock Island, Illinois. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband; her daughter, Phyllis McDowell; and her parents. She was also preceded in death by her four siblings, Doug, Barney and Mike Reynolds and Mary Jo Goecke; and two sons-in-law, David McDowell and Robert Williams.
Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home.
