In Memory of Glenda Louise Paulson

Glenda Louise Paulson, age 74, of Kiron, Iowa passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2015, at her residence.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Rev. Chad Lierman will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com 

Glenda was born November 18, 1940 near Dunlap, Iowa to Dow and Floy (Smithers) Woodard.  The family moved to a farm near Woodbine when she was 2.  Glenda was baptized at First Christian Church.  She graduated from Woodbine High School with the class of 1958.

Glenda was united in marriage to Russ Paulson June 9, 1963 in Woodbine, Iowa.  After marriage they settled into farm life east of Kiron and welcomed daughters Connie and Patti. 

Glenda was a lifelong educator, receiving her BA in Elementary Education from University of Northern Iowa and her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Morningside College, which was one of her proudest achievements.

In addition to several years as an elementary and substitute teacher, Glenda also taught GED classes and tutored special needs high school children.  She served as the Program Director at New Hope Village and as the Living Skills Coordinator at WESCO, teaching life skills to clients to help them move into a more independent life.  More recently, she had spent time as a volunteer at T.A.P. 

Glenda enjoyed being a member of the United Methodist Church.  She took an active role in many areas; teaching Sunday School, serving as President of the UMW, and holding the offices of District UMW Communications Coordinator and COSROW Representative.  Glenda was a certified lay speaker and was the Lay Pastor at the Arthur United Methodist Church for several years. 

In her free time, Glenda was active in sorority & retired teachers groups.  She and Russ belonged to a neighborhood card club and enjoyed eating out with friends. She loved to read and sew and was a creative cook.  Glenda most enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and family. 

Glenda is survived by her husband Russ; children, Connie Castro of Grandview MO and Patti Paulson of Omaha NE; grandchildren, Kylee Paulson of Omaha, NE, Alex Castro and Nick Castro of Grandview, MO; sisters, Lois Schomaker of Linn Grove, IA, Lola (Bob) Williams of Denver, CO; and sisters in law Phyllis Woodard of Denver, CO and Jeanne Woodard of Des Moines, IA as well as several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents Dow and Floy Woodard; brothers, Merlyn Woodard and Vernon Woodard; and brother in law Henry Schomaker. 

Glenda’s final wishes included this note: “I have always loved to read and would like a memorial to go the Denison Public Library Children’s Department because I spent much of my life working with children and I did a lot of my work with GED in the library. Memorial money could also go to the church to undesignated giving for United Methodist Women.”