Eldred Paulson

Eldred “Red” Raymond Paulson, age 90, of Sartell, Minnesota, passed away on July 26, 2026.

Red was born at home on September 25, 1935 near Hanska, Minnesota to Lillian and Theodore Paulson. He was the fifth of eight children and lived on the family farm in Hanska until his teen years and later on a farm near Long Prairie, Minnesota. Red enlisted in the Marine Corps from 1957-1959.

Red married Eileen Marie Rapheal at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Mooreton, North Dakota on June 25th, 1960. They made their home and started a family in Coon Rapids, Minnesota where Red managed a Gulf Oil Gas Station for ten years. He subsequently worked as an adjuster at Federal Cartridge until his retirement in 1998.

Red realized his dream of owning a farm in 1970 and the family moved to Milaca, Minnesota where they grew crops, raised beef cattle, and hogs. In his later years, he took pleasure in raising chickens and ducks. Red was hardworking throughout his life and enjoyed being in the outdoors. He looked forward to gathering every fall for deer hunting with his friends and family. He loved coon hunting and often won awards in night hunting competitions. Red enjoyed horseback riding and was a member of the Round Up Riders Saddle Club. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, The Milaca Legion and The Pork Producers Association.

Red is survived by Eileen, his devoted and loving wife of 66 years, eleven children, David, Jerome, Cheryl (John David) Thoemke, Larry (Marilee), JoAnn (Kelly) Dopp, Kathryn (Gary) Lundeen, Dale, Deborah (Andy) Dulka, Steve (Shanda), Karen (Dave) Handeland, and Timothy (Brittany); grandchildren Sarah, Kristi, Stacy, Adam, Jake, Nicole, Christine, Mary, Claire, Lexie, Josh, Camie, Emily, Wyatt, Wade, Andrew, Kyle, Katelyn, Grace, Brittany, Tyler, Hunter, Gunnar, Alyssa, Savanna, Clayton, Mariah, Stella, Kaiya, Peyton, Landon, Carter, his sister, Myrlene Angell, many nieces and nephews and many great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters-in-law, Lorenzo, Marlow (Marion), Phillip (Marvel), JerRay (Karen), Duane (Bonnie) and Vernon, one brother-in-law Jim Angell, his niece Carol, nephews, Dennis, Steven, Mark, Terry, and Timothy

The family would like to thank the staff and Home Health Team at VA Hospice in St. Cloud and Red’s special caregivers Kayla and Cleo.

 Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 11 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Milaca.  Interment with full military honors will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery.  Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church.