Hollace (Holly) E Paulsen

HOLLY E. PAULSEN (née Hollace E. Thompson)

Passed peacefully from this life on June 30, 2024, at age 83. Preceded in death by her parents John C. and Earlene G. (née Ault) Thompson, and her beloved husband of 49 years Harold S. Paulsen. Will be so dearly missed by her daughter Stacey, son John, daughter-in-law Amy (née Palcowski), treasured grandson Max, sister Sylvia Nelson (Frank), and her many friends, neighbors, and other extended family members.

On July 30, 1940, in Grafton, ND, an overachiever was born! Raised in Dickinson, ND, Holly was elected Lieutenant Governor at North Dakota Girls’ State…and was still proud of that! Was valedictorian when she graduated from Dickinson High School, Class of 1958. Attended UW-Madison while she accompanied her professor father on an educational exchange grant. Holly was one of only six women to get a 4.0 average there that fall. Attended Dickinson State University, where she graduated in three years with degrees in mathematics, chemistry, history, and education. Earned a master’s degree in mathematics education from University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign.

An educator for more than forty years, she taught mathematics at various ND high schools and North Dakota State University. After moving to the Town of Delafield more than 50 years ago, Holly taught at Lakeside Elementary and Swallow Elementary, where she negotiated its first contract, and became the second president of A.U.T.O. In the School District of Waukesha, she taught mathematics and computer science at North High School. Later in her career, she also supported other educators through her position as a computer curriculum specialist for the district and by teaching courses for the Sally Ride Academy. On the leading edge of computer education as it was first introduced to schools, she often joked that when she finally retired, she also retired from learning any new technology.

Holly used the right side of her brain as well. A talented watercolor artist, she was also a life-long learner, regularly taking art classes and willing to try out other mediums. She was prolific. When the assignment called for one piece of art, she would show up with three or four versions. For 15 years, she organized the annual Erinwood 2 Art Studio art show, held at the Fish Hatchery/Senior Center in Delafield, taking over that effort after her former art teacher passed away. Holly entered her work and was honored in numerous regional WRAP contests. She exhibited her work in many locales, including a variety of area libraries and the Waukesha County Courthouse. She frequently painted on commission. She also could produce an adorable poem in no time flat. While her children were growing up, Holly was the musical director for Gethsemane’s Sunday School, despite, as she said, “not being very musical.” She did play piano and a bit of guitar, but was vocally challenged, which did not stop her from leading the children in song.

Holly was involved for many years in her local Homemakers group, the Pewaukee Area Arts Council, the Waukesha Creative Art League, a writing group, book club, and bible studies. She was a 50+ year member of P.E.O., a women’s philanthropic education organization. She was a founding member and first president of P.E.O. Chapter CU, holding many other offices over the years. Her P.E.O. sisters enjoyed her homemade wine. An avid gardener, she could make wine out of practically any of her produce, not limited to almost any berry, but also tomatoes, parsnips, and more! She also pickled, canned, and/or froze, everything under the sun. During what she called her “Mother Earth years”, she had several gardens, berry and asparagus patches, and fruit trees. She was currently down to one garden, but had been experimenting with straw bale gardening for the past few years. She was always curious and willing to learn. Holly was the steward of a Little Free Library, which, of course, could not be contained. It grew to include multiple plastic bins brimming with children’s books, rolled in and out every day in two red wagons. Holly was, herself, a voracious reader, often reading three books at a time. At one point, she counted over 3000 books in her house. She also enjoyed taking her father’s ’63 Chevy Impala to various car shows and was a regular attendee of the weekly shows at the Delafield Hardee’s. She was happy to see that more women were beginning to attend and participate, as previously it was usually just her and the guys.

Her greatest achievement, according to Holly, was her family. She was a supportive partner to her husband, to whom she was engaged after their first or second date. They could never agree on that, but did agree that it was love at first sight. She was a wonderful mother, who knew how to balance encouragement and discipline. Her son’s jobs have all been based in mathematics and statistics. Her daughter’s career was in education. Holly also modeled how to find the humor in just about anything. She passed on her love of reading and learning to her children and grandson. She was proud to tell her sixteen-year-old, 6’ 4” grandson, that she had watched three generations of Paulsen men play basketball, so she knew more than a little about it. She also made sure to introduce him to and instill in him a love of art, music and other forms of creativity. Holly was also a mom and grandma to a lot of furry family members, including a Scottish terrier, cocker spaniels, boxers, Boston terriers, and, eventually, this self-pronounced dog lady even came to love cats. All in all, hers was a life well-lived. Holly was a light to all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, Holly requested that tax deductible donations be made to the HealthWell Foundation (www.healthwellfoundation.org). She wanted to help other people fighting cancer to receive grants to cover the portions of extremely expensive medications that are not completely paid for by prescription insurance. There is an option for donations to be made in her memory. At the memorial, we will also be collecting non-expired, non-perishable items for the Pewaukee Food Pantry, which runs out of the lower level of the church. Holly was a volunteer at the food pantry for many years.

Please join us for a relatively brief memorial service celebrating her life at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 9th, at Gethsemane United Methodist Church, 642 Main Street, Pewaukee, WI. Catch up with family and friends at the casually catered reception/visitation to follow. Examples of Holly’s artwork will be on display.