Thelma Ada Paulson, age 101, of Brainerd, passed away on May 21, 2013, at Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center. Thelma was born on Sept. 17, 1911, in Grundy Center, Iowa, to Frederick and Rena (Mattox) Johnson. At the age of 3 years, the family moved to Brownsdale, Minn., and then moved to Brainerd, Minn., when she was 16 years old.

She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. When Bethlehem Church added the new addition and narthex, Thelma as the oldest living member, dug the first shovel of dirt at age 96.

Thelma was well known for her cooking abilities, especially her apple pie. She cooked and baked well into her 90s. She enjoyed playing cards (500) with her family and Trouble and Dominos with her grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Rena (Mattox) Johnson; husband, John Martin Paulson in 1989; son, John "Fritz" Paulson on March 11, 2010; brothers, Welden Johnson, Lester Johnson; half sisters, Pearl Sanders, Rowberta "Tiny" Rousey; half brothers, Arthur Johnson, Albert Smith, Charles Smith, Rudolph Smith.

Thelma will be deeply missed by her daughter, Betty Hohensee; daughter-in-law, Lee Paulson; grandchildren, Lisa (John) James, Stacy (Roger) Lindahl, Greg (JoAnne) Hohensee, Kristin (Ken) Follman; great-grandchildren, Ashley (Chad) Altermatt, Aaron Lindahl, Maren James, Tyler Follman, Andrew Lindahl, Adam Lindahl; great-great-granddaughter, Brynn Altermatt; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Thelma will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2013, at 1 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd with visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the church.

Thelma Ada Paulson, age 101, of Brainerd, passed away on May 21, 2013, at Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center. Thelma was born on Sept. 17, 1911, in Grundy Center, Iowa, to Frederick and Rena (Mattox) Johnson. At the age of 3 years, the family moved to Brownsdale, Minn., and then moved to Brainerd, Minn., when she was 16 years old.

She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. When Bethlehem Church added the new addition and narthex, Thelma as the oldest living member, dug the first shovel of dirt at age 96.

Thelma was well known for her cooking abilities, especially her apple pie. She cooked and baked well into her 90s. She enjoyed playing cards (500) with her family and Trouble and Dominos with her grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Rena (Mattox) Johnson; husband, John Martin Paulson in 1989; son, John "Fritz" Paulson on March 11, 2010; brothers, Welden Johnson, Lester Johnson; half sisters, Pearl Sanders, Rowberta "Tiny" Rousey; half brothers, Arthur Johnson, Albert Smith, Charles Smith, Rudolph Smith.

Thelma will be deeply missed by her daughter, Betty Hohensee; daughter-in-law, Lee Paulson; grandchildren, Lisa (John) James, Stacy (Roger) Lindahl, Greg (JoAnne) Hohensee, Kristin (Ken) Follman; great-grandchildren, Ashley (Chad) Altermatt, Aaron Lindahl, Maren James, Tyler Follman, Andrew Lindahl, Adam Lindahl; great-great-granddaughter, Brynn Altermatt; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Thelma will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2013, at 1 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd with visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the church.