Mary Jo Paulson

Mary Jo Paulson, 79, of Brooten, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2019, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Big Grove Lutheran Church in rural Belgrade.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. at Big Grove Lutheran Church and for one hour prior to the service.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  As an alternative to flowers, the family encourages contributions to Lutheran World Relief.  Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Belgrade.  www.hafh.org

Mary Jo Paulson was born on April 10, 1940, to loving parents, James and Mary Labelle. She grew up in Schnectady, NY and graduated from Oneonta State University with a degree in teaching.  She later pursued a Master’s Degree in Geography at the University of Minnesota.  Mary Jo married Bruce Paulson on July 18, 1970. She taught junior high school and elementary in Belgrade and Brooten for 31 years.  Reading was one of Mary Jo’s passions and teaching children to love reading was her great joy.  She enjoyed gardening and plants of all kinds, especially hostas.  She was proud to share the delicious food raised on the Paulson farm.  Mary Jo enjoyed traveling and visited Norway, Ireland, Canada, and nearly all 50 states.  She loved music including classical, traditional Irish, and church hymns.  Mary Jo and Bruce love kids and fostered three children early in their marriage.  She also had a passion for the underdog and was quick to befriend those whom others rejected.  She was a loving mother and wife.

Mary Jo is survived by her husband of 48 years, Bruce Paulson; son, Marc (Tricia) Paulson and their children, Jacob and Luke; Bruce’s children, David Paulson and Sheri (Kim) Hartman and their children, Derek (Taylor), Nathan (Shayla), and great-grandchildren, Hyde, Nolan, and Blaiklee.  Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and James LaBelle; brother and best friend, Marc LaBelle and her beloved daughter, Sara.

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