Muriel Iva Johnson Paulson went home to be with Jesus, April 26, 2025, at 8:45 p.m. She was born to Elmer and Dora Johnson on June 20, 1936, in Beaver Township, Polk County, Wisconsin. She loved family and was part of a family of six kids. She had two older sisters, Evelyn and Maxine, two older brothers, Elmer Jr.and Ellsworth, and one younger brother, David.

She graduated from Balsam Lake High School in 1954. While roller skating with her two older brothers, Junior and Ells, she met the love of her life, Ivan Paulson. She didn’t like the name Ivan so she told him she would call him Ike, which she did. They were married on September 24th, 1955. They began life together in Shakopee, MN, where Muriel was a bookkeeper for a local garage. In 1957, they became parents to Kerwin. Now Muriel’s focus was first a wife and then a mother. Pamela came 21 months later in 1958, Sharon in 1962, and Valerie in 1970. Muriel’s desire was to instill faith in Jesus in her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Muriel loved to sew, bake, and help out in the church they were attending. Her sewing skills were evident in the look-alike dresses and pajamas. Her love of baking was enjoyed by family, especially her homemade bread, cookies, a special chocolate cake, and later her special cut-up birthday cakes with the yummy frosting. In the churches they attended, she served in many capacities: Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, Deaconess, Confirmation teacher, Mother’s Club leader as well as singing in the choir.

She worked in the fabric shop in North Branch and then as a bookkeeper for Stacy TV while holding down her job as our mother and then a grandmother. Later in life, she and our Dad became short-term missionaries with Revival Fires and World Mission Alliance traveling to Jordan, Israel, Syria, Egypt (where she rode a camel), China, and Russia. She would give her testimony and hand out Bibles. At home, she was a member of the Gideons Auxiliary. She and Dad passed out Gideon Bibles at the county fairs. Her career as our mother and grandmother led her to host many holiday parties and birthday celebrations.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan Paulson; parents, Elmer and Dora Johnson; sister, Evelyn (Bert) Amonett; brothers, Elmer Jr. (Darlene) Johnson, and Ellsworth (Arlene) Johnson; brother-in-law, Donald Berndt; in-law parents, Newell and Hertha Paulson; brothers-in-law, Carl Paulson and Alvin Paulson, and sister-in-law, Phyllis Paulson.

She is survived by her children, Kerwin (Cindy) Paulson, Pamela (David) Nyquist, Sharon (Steve) Jennisch, and Valerie (Erik) Johnson. Her grandchildren, Melissa (Scott) Peterson, Adam (Lynnea) Paulson, Katie (Adam) Bergdahl, Joshua (Mesa) Nyquist, Joseph (Sharon) Nyquist, Mary (Tim) Peterson, Stephanie (Phil) Hugill, Brandon (Sara) Jennisch, Logan Johnson, Cole (Olivia) Johnson, and 19 great grandchildren; sister, Maxine Berndt; brother, David (Judy) Johnson, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Main Street Church in North Branch. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Grandstrand Funeral Home on Thursday, May 15, 2025 and also one hour prior to the service at church on Saturday. Family interment will take place at Fridsborg Cemetery in East Bethel at a later date.

Last Update: Apr 28, 2025 1:05 pm CDT