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Margaret A. Paulson
March 19, 1914 August 15, 2009
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Margaret A. Paulson, long-time Tracy area resident and wife of respected farmer and citizen, John O. Paulson, died in Napa, CA, on Saturday, August 15, 2009.  She was 95 years old.

Margaret was born on March 19, 1914 in Templeton, CA, to Swedish parents, Albert and Emily Johnson.  She grew up in Templeton and graduated valedictorian from high school there in 1932.  She then attended nursing school at St. Luke’s Hospital in San Francisco, CA.  After returning to the Paso Robles area, she married John Paulson in 1938. They lived first in Paso Robles, where they owned an electrical contracting business, and later in San Jose, CA. In 1943 they moved to Tracy to pursue John’s dream to be in farming. They purchased their first block of land in the New Jerusalem area in 1944, and continued to expand their farming operation in the Tracy area with sons, Robert and Richard, until 1988. In June, 2005, John and Margaret celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary, shortly before John’s death.  

The Paulsons were members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Tracy from 1943 to the late 1990’s when they joined the congregation at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Livermore.  During their time at St. Paul’s, Margaret willingly served as full-time church organist for over thirty years, and was also active in the Women’s Missionary Organization. John continuously served in church leadership roles, and they both actively supported the vision for the growing ministry.
Margaret was an accomplished pianist since early youth. She was often called upon to accompany vocal and instrumental soloists, including many young musicians in the New Jerusalem area at the County Solo Festival competitions. She also encouraged the development of young people by serving as a leader in sewing and cooking classes with the New Jerusalem 4-H Club for many years.   

Margaret is survived by her son Robert Paulson and wife Kathy of Seward, NB; daughter Elaine Zimmerman and husband Ted of Napa; son Richard Paulson and wife Sandy of Tracy; daughter Ruth Lane and husband John of Goleta, CA; 10 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be observed on Friday, August 21, 2009, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Fry Memorial Chapel, 550 S. Central Ave., Tracy.  A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2009, at 9:30 a.m. at Fry Memorial Chapel. Her final resting place will be at Templeton, CA.

One of Margaret’s favorite charitable interests was Christian ministry on behalf of the developmentally disabled.  Therefore, it would be fitting that donations in Margaret’s memory be made to: Good Shepherd FOLKS, P.O. Box 8107, Fremont, CA 94537, or to a charity of one’s choice.  An online guest book to send condolences to the family is available at www.frymemorialchapel.com.  
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009