Clara Paulson

December 8, 1913 - April 2, 2011

Clara Julia Paulson, 97, of Green Bay, WI, formerly of Black River Falls, WI, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 2, 2011, in Green Bay. Clara was born on December 8, 1913 in Springfield Township near Taylor, WI, the second of eleven children born to Albert and Sadie (Nelson) Kvistad. As the sole survivor of the Albert and Sadie Kvistad family, Clara was joyfully reunited with her parents and siblings as well as her two husbands who preceded her in death. Following attendance at Rose Hill School, Clara worked as a caregiver for families in Black River Falls, including the family of Dr. John Marks. As a young woman, she moved with them to Annapolis, MD when Dr. Marks took a position on the naval base. Clara spoke of hearing the train whistle at night, a blaring reminder of how far she was from home. She then worked at the Jackson County Poor Home, a working farm, (currently the Pine View Home), as did all seven Kvistad sisters throughout their lives. Female staff members resided on the third floor of the Home and baked, cooked, gardened, cleaned, laundered, and cared for the residents; her 1935 monthly salary was $30.00. Throughout her lifetime, Clara continued caring for children and treating them as her own. At 84, she retired after caring for Miss Perry, the retired Black River Falls librarian. On July 14, 1943, Clara married Ray Milton Beers in Black River Falls, WI. He preceded her in death on May 22, 1952. She married Clarence (Pat) Paulson on November 2, 1956 in Helena, MT. They resided in Helena until Pat‘s retirement at which time they returned to Black River Falls, WI. He died on April 1, 1993 - 18 years and one day prior to Clara’s death. In addition to her parents, all ten of Clara’s siblings preceded her in death. They include Alma (Elvin) Overby, Doris (Leonard) Paulson, Marie (Rolla) Saunders, Evelyn (Orvel) Mathews, Omer Kvistad, Joseph (Marie) Kvistad, Arlene Hansen, Raymond (Caroline) Kvistad, James (Audrey) Kvistad, and Beverly (Merton) Fagerness. She was also preceded in death by Sidney Beers, her stepson with Ray Beers. Clara is survived by Patti Richardson, her stepdaughter with Pat Paulson, of Las Vegas, NV; four granddaughters, Cheri Morrison, Peri McCulloch, and Jeri Richardson, all of Las Vegas, NV, and Keri Haning of Little Rock, AR. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, eight great-great grandchildren, and the Gourley family of Kailua-Kong, HI (descendents of Sidney Beers), as well as many nieces and nephews. Hansen Funeral Home of Green Bay is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial services will be held from Evangelical Lutheran Church in Black River Falls, WI on April 16 followed by burial in Riverside Cemetery. A memorial service will also be held in Green Bay, WI at a later date. Clara will long be remembered for her generous spirit, grit, and giggle. Heartfelt thanks go to Dr. Goolsby and the staff at Odd Fellows Nursing Home where Clara resided for the last year of her life.