A memorial service for Mildred “Millie” E. Paulson will be at 3 p.m. March 18 at United Methodist Church in Ellendale. The Rev. Randy Cirksena will officiate. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m., and continue until the time of the service.

Mildred passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, March 2, 2017, at her home in Ellendale. She was 74.

Mildred Ellen (Crabtree) was born Aug. 4, 1942, in Albert Lea to Charles Henry and Beulah (Ferguson) Crabtree. She grew up in the Ellendale area and graduated from Ellendale High School in 1960. After High School, she attended Winona State College for a year and then obtained her nursing assistant certificate in the Twin Cities.

On April 7, 1962, Millie married Allen C. Paulson at United Methodist Church in Ellendale. They were blessed with three children.

Millie and Al first made their home in Clarks Grove. They moved to Mankato in 1967, where Millie worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Joseph Hospital while Al went to college. After his graduation, they lived in Elkton for two years before returning to Ellendale. Together, they ran the Our Own Hardware Store in Ellendale from 1972 to 1978. In 1978, the family sold the hardware store and moved to Aiken.

Aside with helping Al run a trucking business, Millie worked part time at Hyytinen Hardware and as an aide at Aikota Nursing Home. In 1995, they returned to make their home in Ellendale. After returning, she worked at Lerberg’s Foods and then took a custodian job at the Ellendale School, where she worked until she retired.

Millie was a faithful member of United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir, served on numerous boards and committees and was the lay delegate to the annual conference. She was also a longtime member of the Lions Club. Millie and Al also enjoyed several years as members of The Grapevine Twist square dancing club.

Millie loved to garden. She enjoyed baking cookies, cooking and music. She was an excellent hostess. There was always room for one more person at her family table with ample food to share. Millie loved being in the presence of others. She loved having coffee on her front porch with her “sisters” and most of all, Millie loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Those left to carry on her legacy include her children Peter (Stephanie Kibler) Paulson and Parke (Sharon) Paulson; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; siblings Allie Larson, Becky Larson, Bob (Leah) Crabtree and Kathy (Jeff) Wayne; sisters-in-law Marlene Otterson and Shirley Paulson; as well as many other loving relatives and friends.

Mildred was preceded in death by her husband, Allen; both parents; a daughter, Peggy; brothers-in-law Jim Paulson, Rolf Otterson, Dennis Larson and Allen Larson.

Blessed be her memory.