Russell Peter Paulson, 56, Richardton, died Thursday, February 27, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family & friends, following an 11 year battle with a brain tumor. Russell’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Richardton. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, military honors will follow the Mass and be provide by the Richardton American Legion, Theo R. Zech Post 180. Visitation will be on Monday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with a vigil at 7 p.m., with Deacon Ralph Stockert presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.
Russ was born on August 1, 1957 in Billings, Mont. to Robert and Berdina (Phernetton) Paulson. Russ’ father was a telegrapher for Northern Pacific Railroad which caused them to relocate frequently. He attended Huntley Project School in Montana for a majority of his childhood before attending some high schooling in Glenn Ullin. At 17, he joined the United States Navy, where he obtained his GED. He was stationed on the USS Lamoure out of Norfolk, Va. but spent a majority of his service with the Pacific fleet and was honorably discharged after four years of service.
Russ met and married Angela Gernand of Carson, in 1984 in New Leipzig. They moved to Richardton in 1986 and raised their four children, Shawn (Jennifer) Paulson, Dickinson, Phillip Paulson, Richardton, Samantha (Timothy) Yanish, Bismarck, and Aaron (Amanda) Paulson, Dickinson.
He worked for Royal Oak until 1990 when it closed, then went to Richardton Manufacturing until it finally closed. In between furloughs he worked with the Hebron Brick Company. He then worked for Dickinson State University until he was forced to slow down in life in 2004. Russ spent most of his life in service. He spent ten years volunteering for the Richardton Fire Department and three years with the Richardton Ambulance and Rescue Department. He was a member of the St. Mary’s choir and the Richardton American Legion. He was a devoted community supporter and helped with various projects including the rebuilding of St. Mary’s playground and the Richardton swimming pool.
Russ also spent time valuing the great outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. His favorite times of year were autumn deer hunting season and spring fishing season. He prided himself in teaching all his children the art of being an outdoorsman and the honor of conservation. He made time to spend with friends, young and old alike, to go hiking and arrowhead hunting.
Throughout his life Russ felt his greatest accomplishment was his four children and eight grandchildren. He was proud of all their personal accomplishments and was the first to boast about them to both friends and strangers. Although Russ lost his mother at a young age he came to love Rosalie Hunke, Richardton, as a mother. He appreciated spending time with her and loved doing projects on her farm.
He is survived by his wife, Angie; their four children, Shawn, Phillip, Samantha, and Aaron; eight grandchildren, Maddison, Kaeden, Charles, Abbigale, Braelynn, Paxtyn, Lukas and Jerome; two brothers, Cliff Paulson and Phillip Paulson; one sister, Denise (Mike) Barbley; and his mother-in-law, Eva Gernand
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He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, Alice Paulson; godson, Ian Tryon; uncle, Cliff Phernetton; aunt, Katherine Brom; and his father-in-law, Walter Gernand.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to the Richardton Fire Department and the Richardton Ambulance Service.
