Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

Obituary: Carmen Paulson

Carmen Paulson

Maddock, N.D.

Carmen Jean Togstad Paulson, 96, of Maddock, N.D. passed away Sunday September 4, 2022 at Heartland Care Center in Devils Lake, N.D. Funeral Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday September 8, 2022 at the Viking Lutheran Church in rural Maddock with Pastor Mike Flowers officiating. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial took place in the Viking Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Heaven gained a beautiful soul when Carmen passed away Sunday evening, September 4, 2022. Carmen was born to Anton and Hazel (Hegland) Togstad July 12, 1926, and was raised on a farm in rural West Antelope Township with her sister Shirley (Togstad) Midstokke. She graduated from Oberon High School in 1944. She attended one year of nurses training before earning her teaching certificate and taught in one room schools in Benson County. Carmen wed Alvin Paulson on September 27, 1947, in Sheyenne, N.D. They made their home on the Paul Paulson farm and had five (5) children: Charlene (Ron) Johnson, Grafton; Michael Paulson, Maddock; Lee Paulson (deceased), Lynn (Linda) Paulson, Fargo; and Kim (Paulette) Paulson, Devils Lake. Carmen was grandma to numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Carmen was a dedicated housewife and full-time partner in the farming operation, consisting of grain, cattle, chickens, hogs, and milk cows. She was renowned for her scalloped potatoes and ham, lefse, buns, doughnuts, and nearly every Norwegian delicacy. She was a dedicated mother to not only to her children but the children of many friends and relatives.

After the passing of her husband Alvin in 1975, Carmen began working for Benson Social Services as a home healthcare provider for more than 25 years. She had a passion and a love for helping those who were no longer able to live independently, considering them more like family than clients.

In her later years, Carmen enjoyed spending her winters in Arizona with Shirley. They immediately made friends with many folks in the Trail Riders Mobile Home Park in Mesa, Ariz. It did not take long before they were holding "court" in the neighborhood and became known as "The Sisters". They were always happy to come home in the spring to N.D. but looked forward to going back to see their lifelong friends. When health concerns made it no longer possible to go to Arizona, Carmen made her home in Devils Lake, being close to her sister and family.

She was a member of the Viking Lutheran Church being active in teaching Sunday School, ladies aide, and was a church council member. Carmen was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary holding many local offices as well as state positions, member of the Sons of Norway, Mollergutin Lodge, Maddock N.D., secretary-treasurer of West Antelope Township in Benson County for numerous years, and a member of the South Viking Homemakers Club.

Carmen was a fearless champion for her children. A woman who faced many adversities head on, with an unwavering optimism that things would always work out and tomorrow could be a better day with a little bit of prayer and a lot of God's help.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Alvin, son Lee Paulson, parents Anton and Hazel Togstad, and an infant sister.

Arrangements are with Nelson Funeral Home of Maddock, N.D. Online condolences may be left at http://www.thenelsonfuneralhome.com.