Geneva Mae Paulson

Geneva M. Paulson, age 82, of Parkers Prairie, died peacefully on Friday, January 30, 2026, at St. William’s Living Center under the exceptional care of their staff with the assistance of Douglas County Hospice.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., on Monday, February 9, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie with Rev. Kirk Lee officiating. Music is provided by Lynette Finnern. Interment will take place at Parkers Prairie Cemetery following lunch at church.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Sunday at Immanuel Lutheran Church and will continue one hour prior to the service.

Geneva Mae was born on November 30, 1943, to William and Mable (Johnson) Sarkela in Sebeka. She was baptized on January 23, 1944 and confirmed on June 3, 1957 at Meadow Apostolic Church in rural Sebeka. She was united in marriage to Roger N. Paulson on June 9, 1962, in Minneapolis. Geneva was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roger in 2023; brother, Wilfred and his wife Alice Sarkela; sisters, Viola and her husband Donald Johnson, Ellen and her husband James Vancura; brothers-in-law, Herb Hanson, Al Mohr, and Wayne Hagen; sisters-in-law, Mary Elizabeth Paulson and Mary Jo Paulson.

Geneva is survived by her daughter, Kelly (Mitchell) Messer; sons, Ryan Paulson, Randy (Debbie) Paulson, and Ross (Amy) Paulson; grandchildren, Justin (Ashley) Messer, Monica (Cody) Spear, Gavin (fiancée, Tina Stepaniak) Messer, Caleb (Kaylee) Messer, Amanda Paulson, Dillon (Michelle) Paulson, Connor Paulson and Dane Paulson; siblings-in-law, Jacqueline Hanson, Virginia Mohr, Justen (Marsha) Paulson, Bruce Paulson, Patricia Hagen, Barbara (Gary) Hanson, and Glory (Bryan) Schriefels; great-grandchildren, Matilda, Roland, Eliza, Otto, Joel, Willa, Zoey, Owen, Beckett, Ripley, Duncun, Freyja, Hunter, and Abigail.

Pallbearer is Beckett Messer.

Casket bearers are her grandchildren. Honorary casket bearer is Connor Paulson.

Memorials are preferred to the children’s ministry at Immanuel Lutheran Church.