Joyce I. Paulson, age 86, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2019 surrounded by her family at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.   

She was born on August 11, 1933 to Theodore and Agnes (Johnson) Jacobson in rural Ridgeland.  Joyce attended Damon Ridge Elementary School, Barron High School and graduated from Prairie Farm High School in 1951.  After graduation, she attended the University of Wisconsin - River Falls and obtained a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.  She later married Larry Paulson on August 27, 1960 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA.  Joyce taught elementary students at various schools throughout her career, including: Rice Lake, Clear Lake, Pine Bend (MN), Prairie Farm; and substituted for many school districts in the surrounding area.  

Along with teaching, she enjoyed selling products from various vendors (Sarah Coventry Jewelry, Home Interior for 30 years, Sasco, and Mannatech).  When Joyce was not busy with her teaching career, she kept busy by performing farm work, decorating wedding cakes, assembling silk flower arrangements, traveling across the country, and spending time with her grandchildren.  Amongst all those activities, she and her husband owned a tavern in Almena, which was formerly known as the J&L Bar and L.P.’s Place, for 26 years before she retired at the age of 70.

After retirement, Joyce kept busy by traveling alongside her husband Larry for three years over-the-road while he drove for JME Trucking.  She adored the time she spent with her family and friends and was always willing to lend a helping hand when it was needed.  Joyce was seen as a mother to everyone and was a great friend to anyone that she met.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Larry Paulson; children, Lanny (Tereasa) Paulson, Lori (Kevin) Cordes; daughter-in-law, Valerie Paulson; grandchildren, Lucas Paulson, LaTasha Paulson, Lacy (Bucky) Nelson, Lanae (Joey) Paulson, Amanda Junkans, Brandon (Racheal) Junkans; great-grandchildren, Lehney Paulson, Landon Paulson, Hannah Junkans, Henry Junkans, Opal Junkans; and sister, Betty Harmon.

She was proceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Agnes (Johnson) Jacobson; son, Lane Paulson; grandson, Logan Paulson; and sisters, Elaine Glaser and Lorraine Hoover.

Funeral services for Joyce Paulson will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Cumberland with Rev. Neal Weltzin officiating.  Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 27, 2019 at Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron, and one hour prior to the service on Saturday morning at the church.  Burial will be held at the Wayside Cemetery in Barron. 

Pallbearers participating in the service will be Joyce’s nephews, Greg Glaser, Craig Wooldridge, Monty Paulson, Craig Paulson, Jeff Paulson, and friend; Todd ‘Cooter’ Klinger.  Honorary pallbearers are Lucas Paulson, LaTasha Paulson, Lacy Nelson, Lanae Paulson, Amanda Junkans and Brandon Junkans.  

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron

Last Update: Dec 23, 2019 1:23 pm CST