Pauline Fossum

Sunday, January 31, 2021 12:00 am

Pauline Fossum, age 95, of Decorah, passed away on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, at Wellington Place in Decorah.

A private family service will be held at Big Canoe Lutheran Church with Pastor Stacey Nalean-Carlson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Pauline was born on Feb. 2, 1925, the daughter of Perry and Nora (Helgerson) Olson at the Spring Grove Hospital in Minnesota. She was baptized at the hospital.  Pauline is what some would call a miracle baby as she was only 2 pounds when she was born. She was later confirmed at Big Canoe Church, where she was a life-long member. She attended country school in Pleasant Township through 8th grade and attended high school in Decorah.She married Delford Fossum on Feb. 2, 1945, at Big Canoe Church. Together they were blessed with 2 children, David and Nancy.  Pauline and Delford started farming in 1945 and continued to farm until they were no longer able to due to health reasons. Even after she was unable to farm herself, she continued to manage the farms and had to go for drives to see what was happening. Pauline truly enjoyed farming and being outdoors. She could be found driving a tractor, doing fieldwork, tending to the animals, and taking care of the yard work. Later in life, her favorites were to watch Nascar Racing on the weekends and game shows as well as reading the Spokesman and local newspapers. She spent many mornings listening to music and enjoyed going out to eat. When you stopped by there was always coffee and sweet treats waiting for you and she enjoyed having company. She continued to live on her family farm until she was unable to do so in November of 2020. She missed being able to spend holidays and birthdays with her family was looking forward to celebrating at one big party once this virus was gone.

Pauline is survived by her daughter, Nancy (Wayne) Jordahl of Decorah; her five grandchildren, Shelly Donlon, Kim (Chris) Bohr, Melissa (Jeff) Weber, Denise (Brandon) Elsbernd, Brian (Tina) Jordahl. Pauline was blessed with 12 great-grandchildren, Tyler Donlon, Mikayla Donlon, Austin Bohr, Brogan Mihm, Hannah Mihm, Riley Mihm, Hunter Weber, Dylan Elsbernd, Hailey Elsbernd, Alexis Elsbernd, Ellyn Jordahl, Nicolas Jordahl, and one great-great-grandchild, Braelynn Mihm. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Odis Fossum, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Delford (1995), her son, David (2020) her parents Nora and Perry Olson, her mother and father-in-law Gilman and Mabel (Knutson) her brother Harvey (Cecile) Olson, her sister Margaret (George) Rude. Her brothers-in-law, Maurice Fossum, Gilman “JR” (Delone) Fossum, Jr., and John Fossum.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at Wellington Place, Decorah, Green Lea Senior Living in Mabel, Minn., and WMC Hospice for their excellent care of Pauline for the last couple of months. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Big Canoe Lutheran Church at 1381 Big Canoe Rd, Decorah, IA 52101 or WMC– Hospice Care at 901 Montgomery St., Decorah, IA 52101.

Cards and condolences may be sent to Nancy Jordahl at 1651, 260th Street, Decorah, IA 52101

Schluter-Balik Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.