Merlin Paulson

Merlin Paulson, 89, of Ogden, passed away on Monday, August 29, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, with his family at his side.

Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m., Saturday, September 3, 2016, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Boone, Iowa. Pastor Dick Dahle will officiate. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery in Ogden. Visitation will be Friday, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Carson – Stapp Funeral Home in Ogden. For online obituaries and condolences visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com

Merlin Rudolph Paulson, son of Ruddie and Amy (Kruse) was born February 4, 1927. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church. He received his early education in country school and graduated from Ogden High School in 1945. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Army, Cavalry, during World War II. He married Audre Lindahl, the love of his life, on September 28, 1947. The couple made their home southwest of Ogden where they farmed. This union was blessed with three children, Stanley, Claudia, and Peggy.

Merlin enjoyed spending time with family and friends, dancing, fishing, traveling, and playing cards at family get togethers. Merlin and Audre were proud that the Paulson farm was designated as a century farm in 1991. He was honored with the Outstanding Young Farmer award in 1959. He was also very proud of topping the hog market in Omaha, and cattle markets in Chicago and Sioux City. He enjoyed playing fast pitch softball during his younger years. He served as a 4-H leader, the Boone County Fair Board, and superintendent of the 4-H advanced cattle feeding project. It is doubtful that he missed a county fair dating back to at least the early 1950's. Merlin was a caring and supportive husband and father who always put his family first.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Melvin in 1935, daughter Claudia in 1999, brother-in-law Bud in 2001, son-in-law Everett in 2013, son Stan in 2014, and two great-grandchildren, Maci and Aiden in 2014.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife Audre of Boone, daughter Peg (Kurt) Soderstrum of Boone, grandchildren Ben (Christa) Paulson of West Des Moines, John (Beth) Paulson of Cedar Falls, Sara Shepherd of Stuart, Adam (Kara) Paulson of Grimes, Greg (Aimee) Shepherd of Mt. Pleasant, Jamie Soderstrum of Guthrie Center, Erin Soderstrum of Norfolk, Nebraska, Jessie Soderstrum of Ames, and eleven great grandchildren. Also sisters Marva Jean (Gary) Baldwin of Evergreen, Colorado, and Mary Janice Ott of Ogden, nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Memorials may be left to the Beef Pen of 3 4-H Program, Boone County.