Elliott Sven Paulsen

Elliott Paulsen, 79, of Balsam Lake, WI passed away peacefully with his loving family at his side on Sunday, October 9, 2016 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN.

Elliott Sven Paulsen was born on September 11, 1937 in Amery, Wisconsin to Alexander and Valborg Paulsen.  Elliott was raised in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin and attended the Balsam Lake School from grade 1 through grade 12 graduating in the Balsam Lake High School class of 1955.  He attended the University of Wisconsin River Falls graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education.  He also earned a Masters Degree from University of Wisconsin River Falls in 1969.

Elliott began teaching at Unity Elementary School in 1960 and continued for 34 years before retiring in 1995.  During his 34 years working for the Unity School District, he taught 6th grade for 2 years and 5th grade for 16 years at Centuria Elementary.  Elliott was also Centuria Elementary Building Principal for 16 years.  When Centuria Elementary moved to the new Unity Elementary school in 1978, Elliott continued teaching 5th grade at Unity until his retirement in 1995.            

Elliott very much enjoyed his retirement.   He spent each fall hunting deer and bear with family and friends.  E.P., as many knew him by, enjoyed both hunting and recreating at a cabin near Cable, Wisconsin known as the Raven’s Nest.  It was at this cabin that he spent deer seasons for many years with friends and family.  The Ravens Nest was also a place that he spent with his family and friends as a getaway or a trout fishing retreat.               

Elliott also enjoyed a wide variety of recreational activities.  During his retirement, Elliott and his wife of 53 years, Karen, went on numerous trips.  Some of these trips were to New England in the fall, Branson, Missouri, Hawaii, Alaska, Florida, and spending the past five winters in Texas with close friends. He also enjoyed gardening and growing some of the best sweet corn in the area.               

Elliott thoroughly enjoyed people and life. Going to coffee each morning in downtown Balsam Lake was as routine as breathing.  He was also involved in Faith Lutheran church in Balsam Lake being on the church council and assisting in numerous church activities.  Elliott was also a Deacon for Faith Lutheran church for many years.                

Elliott was one of the founding members of the Balsam Lake Rod and Gun Club.  He worked many Musky Tournaments, Sunday trap shoots, Smelt feeds and other events that the club sponsored.  Along with being one of the founding members of the Rod and Gun club, Elliott was one of the most accomplished shooters.  There were numerous years when he was at the top of the league in shooting average.               

Elliott was one of the original participants in the Al Peer Tuesday Bass Fishing tournament.  He very much enjoyed this tournament held on the first three Tuesdays in June.  Elliott fished with Tom Albrecht and leaves to mourn his last fishing partner, Merlin Fox.                

The highlight of Elliott’s final years were his grandchildren. Nicholas, Emma, Tyler, Madison, and Joshua were the highlight of his  world.  He enjoyed helping them with homework, hearing about their daily experiences, fishing and hunting with them, and going to their concerts, sporting events, plays, and dance recitals. 

Elliott leaves to celebrate his memory: wife, Karen Paulsen, Balsam Lake, sons, Rory (Dana) Paulsen, Milltown and Troy (Debbie) Paulsen, Balsam Lake, grandchildren, Nicholas, Emma, Tyler, Madison and Joshua, brother, Allan (Anna) Paulsen, Boyton Beach, FL,  sister-in-law, Kristi (Roger) Williams, Cottage Grove, WI, nieces, nephews and other loving family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander and Valborg Paulsen.

Elliott’s family will greet visitors on Thursday, October 13, 2016 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at Faith Lutheran Church in Balsam Lake, then again Friday from 10:00- 11:00 A.M. at Faith Lutheran Church in Balsam Lake. Funeral service will be on Friday, October 14, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at Faith Lutheran Church in Balsam Lake.

He will be laid to rest at Balsam Lake Cemetery, Balsam Lake, WI following the service. The family invites their guests to join them for lunch and fellowship following the cemetery service.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

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