Paul E. Paulson, age 73, died Sunday May 5, 2013. His family was with him when his body, but not his spirit, succumbed to a 34-year battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Paul was born on January 12, 1940 to Paul L. and Myra J. (Aspenson) Paulson. He grew up in Mt. Sterling and later Prairie du Chien, the oldest of four children. Paul graduated from Prairie du Chien High School in 1958 and went on to attend UW-La Crosse. Paul moved to Monroe in 1960 and worked for Schuetze's Men's Wear, which he later purchased and ran as Paul's Men's Wear until closing the store in 2002. He truly loved going to work each day and being a businessman in the community. His desire to keep working led him to take a seasonal position with The Swiss Colony that he enjoyed for 10 years.
Paul and De Zwygart were married on June 27, 1965 at St. John's United Church of Christ and enjoyed 47 years of marriage. They had many fun times with friends and family and took countless road trips as Paul loved to drive and see the country. During his youth, Paul developed a passion for fishing and baseball which he carried all through his life - even having the opportunity to try out for the Milwaukee Braves in the early 1960s. Paul cherished the times with friends going on fishing trips and playing slow-pitch for many summers. After his years of playing were over, he continued to sponsor summer slow-pitch and softball teams.
Paul and De had three daughters, Jill, Lynne and Kerri, and together they created many memories through years of camping and their travels. Of all the places they visited, Paul's favorite was Arizona. He loved the endless days of sunshine, the hot temperatures and being able to enjoy the outdoors. His favorite things to do were to visit all the Spring Training baseball parks and watch the practices, swim in the pool with his girls and grandchildren, and enjoy the beautiful, desert landscape.
Paul was very active in his church and the community. He was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, President for the Monroe Jaycees, was an Honorary Chairman for Relay for Life, and served on the board of directors for The New Glarus Home, Crime Stoppers and Northwest Buyers and Jobbers. His passion for hot air balloons even inspired him to help bring the very first Balloon Rally to Monroe.
Paul is survived by his wife, De; daughters, Jill Cass and husband Chris, Lynne Hendrickson and husband Kent, and Kerri Steinmann and husband Shawn. He was a Grandpa too and loved spending time with Shelby, Jenna and Jarred Cass; Cooper and Tatum Hendrickson; and Carter and Ella Steinmann. Paul is also survived by his brother, Carroll (Janet) Paulson; sister, Karen (Bill Small) Paulson; sister-in-law, LaVonne Paulson; mother-in-law, Belva Zwygart; brother-in-law, Bub (Lori) Zwygart; and sister-in-law, Mary Zwygart-Stauffacher (Paul Stauffacher). He is further survived by nieces, nephews and dear friends.
He was proceeded in death by his parents; brother, Gary; nephew, Dennis Paulson; father-in-law, Doran Zwygart; and paternal and maternal grandparents.
Memorial services will be Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's United Church of Christ with Rev. Dr. W.T. Mike Heath officiating. Visitation will be Friday, May 10, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. John's United Church of Christ, Monroe Clinic Hospice, and American Cancer Society Relay for Life Team.
Paul will forever be remembered for his "SUPER" attitude and outlook on life!
Paul and De Zwygart were married on June 27, 1965 at St. John's United Church of Christ and enjoyed 47 years of marriage. They had many fun times with friends and family and took countless road trips as Paul loved to drive and see the country. During his youth, Paul developed a passion for fishing and baseball which he carried all through his life - even having the opportunity to try out for the Milwaukee Braves in the early 1960s. Paul cherished the times with friends going on fishing trips and playing slow-pitch for many summers. After his years of playing were over, he continued to sponsor summer slow-pitch and softball teams.
Paul and De had three daughters, Jill, Lynne and Kerri, and together they created many memories through years of camping and their travels. Of all the places they visited, Paul's favorite was Arizona. He loved the endless days of sunshine, the hot temperatures and being able to enjoy the outdoors. His favorite things to do were to visit all the Spring Training baseball parks and watch the practices, swim in the pool with his girls and grandchildren, and enjoy the beautiful, desert landscape.
Paul was very active in his church and the community. He was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, President for the Monroe Jaycees, was an Honorary Chairman for Relay for Life, and served on the board of directors for The New Glarus Home, Crime Stoppers and Northwest Buyers and Jobbers. His passion for hot air balloons even inspired him to help bring the very first Balloon Rally to Monroe.
Paul is survived by his wife, De; daughters, Jill Cass and husband Chris, Lynne Hendrickson and husband Kent, and Kerri Steinmann and husband Shawn. He was a Grandpa too and loved spending time with Shelby, Jenna and Jarred Cass; Cooper and Tatum Hendrickson; and Carter and Ella Steinmann. Paul is also survived by his brother, Carroll (Janet) Paulson; sister, Karen (Bill Small) Paulson; sister-in-law, LaVonne Paulson; mother-in-law, Belva Zwygart; brother-in-law, Bub (Lori) Zwygart; and sister-in-law, Mary Zwygart-Stauffacher (Paul Stauffacher). He is further survived by nieces, nephews and dear friends.
He was proceeded in death by his parents; brother, Gary; nephew, Dennis Paulson; father-in-law, Doran Zwygart; and paternal and maternal grandparents.
Memorial services will be Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's United Church of Christ with Rev. Dr. W.T. Mike Heath officiating. Visitation will be Friday, May 10, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. John's United Church of Christ, Monroe Clinic Hospice, and American Cancer Society Relay for Life Team.
Paul will forever be remembered for his "SUPER" attitude and outlook on life!