Julie Anne Paulsen 1955-2009

PAULSEN, WITTMAN, EASLAND, CLEMSEN, CULBERT, STRATING

Posted By: Bobbie Knudsen (email)
Date: 4/7/2009 at 21:53:41

The Des Moines Register
April 6, 2009

JULIE ANNE PAULSEN

Johnston

Julie Anne Paulsen, 53, of Johnston, Iowa, passed away on April 5, 2009 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. A Celebration of Life visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church at 1150 28th Street, Des Moines, Iowa. A Mass in honor of Julie will also be held at St. Catherine's on Wednesday, April 8 at 2 p.m. All family and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul's Catholic Mission, PO Box 189, McKee, KY 40447.

Julie was born on September 13, 1955 in Davenport, Iowa, the second of six children born to Bill and Margie Paulsen of Durant, IA. She graduated from Durant High School in 1973, and then earned a BA from Iowa State University. After a year spent backpacking around the world, Julie devoted her self to missionary work helping families in rural Kentucky for three years. She returned to Iowa and obtained a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa. She has since enjoyed a rewarding career in social work, most recently with the Heartland Area Education Agency in Des Moines.

Julie's greatest joy in life was her family. She was married to Tom Wittman for nearly 22 years and thoroughly enjoyed her two sons, Joel and Lucas. She was an avid quilter and artist, a gifted vocalist and musician, as well as a bold gourmet chef. Julie was "green" before it was PC and regularly orchestrated activities such as spelunking, bicycling, hiking, fishing, and camping.

Julie was truly a joy to be around and inspired all who knew her with her creativity, sense of adventure, and enthusiasm for life. We celebrate the legacy that will live on in all who knew her well. She was blessed with a large and wonderful family including her parents, Bill and Margie Paulsen; Mike Paulsen and Laurey Easland; Jim and Cindy Paulsen; Jane Paulsen and Lance Clemsen; Lynne Paulsen and Bob Culbert; Heidi Paulsen and Ja Strating; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.