Shirley Ann (Muilenburg) Paulsen, 83, of Redfield, SD, passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Community Memorial Hospital Avera in Redfield.

Her funeral service will be at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, August 30, at the Redfield United Methodist Church in Redfield. Pastor Melissa Rowenhorst will officiate.  Inurnment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield.  

The funeral will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website below Shirley’s obituary.  Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield has been entrusted with arrangements (www.hykefuneralhome.com).

Shirley was born February 18, 1940, in Manchester, SD, to John and Helen (DeLano) Muilenburg. She spent her time growing up in Manchester and Minnesota and graduated high school in Artesian, SD.

After meeting Don Paulsen on a blind date, they married a year later, on February 12, 1961, at the Redfield Wesleyan Church. They farmed in Bonilla, SD, before making Redfield their home. They were married for 62 years.

Shirley took the role of caretaker early in life by being a nurse’s aide at the Lake Preston Hospital while in high school. After graduating, she moved to Redfield and worked at the Community Memorial Hospital as a nurse’s aide.  Years later, she returned to the hospital as a housekeeper for several years. She also did foster grandparenting and daycare.

Shirley enjoyed doing crafts such as crocheting afghans for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She made several quilts for her family as well and enjoyed quilting with the ladies at the Redfield United Methodist Church quilting circle. She also enjoyed working with her sister-in-law Myrna French at her hobby shop. She loved reading, gardening, and growing flowers.

She is survived by her husband Don; son Bob (Marvelle) Paulsen of Redfield and their children, Chris (Kristina), Trista, Denae, Nyakier, Malakye, and Octavia; son Tim Paulsen of Piedmont, SD and his children, Matt and Cassie; daughter Darla (Greg) Van Vleet of Bismarck, ND and their children, Michael (Cori) Van Vleet and Emily (Matt) Rudel; great-grandchildren, William, Payton, Bella, Jazzlynn, Kasen, Kamryon, and Everlee;  sister Beverly (Lloyd) Schafer; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother Helen, father John, sister Margaret Ernster, mother-in-law Katherine Paulsen, father-in-law Lewis Paulsen, brother-in-law Robert, sister-in-law Myrna French, and daughter-in-law Tammy Paulsen.