Gordon’s Obituary RAPID CITY- Gordon Paulson, 84, of Rapid City, passed away peacefully January 24, 2019 with family at his side. Visitation will be from 5pm – 7pm on January 30th at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home in Rapid City. Funeral Services will be held at South Canyon Lutheran Church Thursday, January 31st at 11:00 am.
Immediately following, a luncheon in the Fellowship Hall where Gordon washed thousands of dishes over the 15 years he and his wife Diane provided meals for funeral receptions. Having served in the Marine Corps, Gordon will be buried at the Black Hills National Cemetery following the luncheon. The life story of Gordon began on April 29, 1934, in Hilland, South Dakota as the oldest son of Kristian and Evelyn (Ruesink) Paulson.
Gordon was baptized and confirmed at the Hilland Lutheran Church. In 1952, he graduated from Philip High School. He grew into a man that had little to complain about, letting his actions speak for him more than words, and found joy in helping others enough to share and pass around in heaping helpings.
Gordon was a Korean War Veteran serving from 1953-1955. After returning from Korea, Gordon married Diane Marie Olney on March 4, 1957 in Kadoka, SD. Before they knew it four children were born and things only got busier.
Gordon worked for 35 years at Northwestern Bell. After retirement, he remained very active with the Telephone Pioneers serving as a member and Chapter President. As a Marine, serving was in his blood.
He was named “Marine of the Year” for his Detachment in 2011 and 2015 for outstanding leadership and dedication to community service. In 2012, he was named “Marine of the Year” for the Department of South Dakota Marine Corps League. His passion for volunteerism was acknowledged when he was awarded the Volunteer of the Year for South Dakota and the National Park Partnership Award for his work and leadership on the construction of the walkway system in the Badlands National Park for which he was honored in Washington D. C. in 1999.
After retirement, in addition to fishing, hunting, playing cards, and going to his grandkids’ sporting events, Gordon refined his woodworking skills. In addition to having built the home his family grew up in, you will find his handiwork in all of his kids homes, his church, and his community. Always determined to stay fit, Gordon could be found at the gym working out, on long walks around Canyon Lake Park and dancing with the Norwegian Folk Dancers for the Sons of Norway.
Gordon is survived by his wife of 62 years, Diane (Olney) Paulson; four children – Kim (Don) Kelley, Kris (Beth) Paulson, Lisa (Todd) Seaman and Dena (Tom) Rus; six grandchildren – Daniel Seaman, Lindsey Hansen, Kirsten Paulson, Taylor Paulson, Connor Paulson and Garet Rus; two great-grandchildren – Hudson Hansen and Evie Seaman; two siblings – Gaylord (Beva) Paulson and DeMaris (Erv) Nesheim; Brother-in-Law Paul Newman and many other relatives and close friends. He was preceded in death by parents, Kristian and Evelyn Paulson and sister Dorothy Kay Newman. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the local Alzheimers Association and Storybook Island for the continued operations and improvements.
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