Mercedes Paulson, 96, Battle Lake, MN

Mercedes Paulson, 96, of Battle Lake, died Saturday, April 26, 2008, at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls.

She was born Dec. 5, 1911, in Nidaros Township of rural Vining, to Andrew and Ellen Anna (Stene) Levring. She was baptized and confirmed at Vining Lutheran Church.

She grew up in Nidaros Township and attended Vining Consolidated School through the 11th grade. She graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1929, and attended Fergus Falls Teacher Training in 1930. She taught country school for seven years prior to her marriage.

On Nov. 12, 1937, she married Thorfin Paulson and they settled on the Paulson family farm at rural Clitherall where they lived until retirement.

The farm remains in the family today. After their children were grown, she went back to teaching elementary school and taught for 18 years in Vining, Clitherall and Underwood, retiring in 1973.

Mercedes was a member of Nidaros Lutheran Church where she was active in WELCA, was the Sunday school superintendent and church treasurer for several years. She was also active in Sons of Norway, did volunteer work at the Otter Tail County Historical Society and participated in the Parish Prayer Shawl Ministry.

She played an active role in the Battle Lake Senior Citizens organization and was a 4-H leader during the time her children were involved.

Prior to Thorfin’s death in 1995, they had the opportunity to travel the United States and to Norway twice and followed the activities of their grandchildren.

Mercedes enjoyed crocheting, knitting, quilting, reading and working on her computer including extensive researching of family genealogy. She moved from the farm at rural Clitherall to Summit Village in Battle Lake in 1997, where she enjoyed the close friendships that evolved with the other residents until the time of her death.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thorfin on December 10, 1995, and three brothers, Orrin, Philip and Edwin Levring.

She is survived by her children, Dr. Clayton (Dr. Marta) Paulson of Corvallis, Ore., Milton (Linda) Paulson of Clitherall, Dr. Ellen (Dr. Richard) Keiter of Charleston, Ill., Dennis (Kathleen) Paulson of Fredricksburg, Va., and Jerome (Judy) Paulson of Wayzata; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitation: Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday, at Nidaros Lutheran Church, rural Clitherall

Clergy: Revs. John Okan and Richard Kennedy

Burial: Nidaros Lutheran Cemetery

Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Battle Lake

• Condolences may be sent online at www.glendenilson.com