Douglas Paulsrud

Douglas Verdale Paulsrud, 65, of Nielsville, MN died Friday, April 3, 2015 at home with his wife and daughters by his side. Doug was born on October 19, 1949, in Crookston, MN to Orris and Julia (Bratteli) Paulsrud. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Petri Lutheran Church. He grew up on the family farm near Nielsville. Doug attended school in Nielsville and the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston. After graduating from Halstad High School in 1967, he attended Moorhead State College. In addition to his studies, Doug mastered the fine art of the game of pool, a skill that he proudly passed on to his daughters. At a young age, Doug began farming with his dad, a way of life that grew to be very important to him. In pursuit of his own farming operation, Doug began doing drywall work in the off season, leading him to establish Paulsrud Drywall, which he owned and operated for 26 years. Doug never forgot a job he did, always pointing out homes and business across the valley that he worked on. On March 27, 1976 he was united in marriage to Sandra Smith. Soon after, Doug and Sandy purchased their own farm along the Red River, where they continued to farm through the 2014 growing season. The farm proved to be a wonderful place to raise their two daughters, Abby and Kelsey. Besides schooling his daughters in pool, Doug enjoyed bowling, softball, hunting, fishing, playing cards, making (and eating) klub and lefse, family road trips in the van, and playing outdoor (and living room) sports with his girls. Doug always had a soft spot for animals, especially his numerous pets over the years, whether it was the family dog, a stray cat, or a pet gopher named Queenie. Doug was taken from us much too soon. We will miss his unique humor, his detailed life recollections, competitive spirit, knowledge, perfection, and caring nature. His memory will live on through his family. Doug’s family would like to thank Hospice of the Red River Valley for their support, care, and kindness during this difficult time. Doug is survived by his wife Sandy and their daughters, Abby Grund of Grand Forks, ND and Kelsey (Joe) Christofferson of Bemidji, MN; three sisters: Ginger (Gale) Odegaard of Ada, MN, LeeAnn (Larry) Geiselhart of Fargo, ND, and Lynette (Guy) Beckedahl of Sherwood, ND; mother-in-law, Lillian Smith of Crookston; brother-in-law, Lee (Carla) Smith of Grand Forks; sister-in-law, Kellie (James) Muigai of Tucson, AZ and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He is preceded in death by his parents, nephew Rikki Smith, and father-in-law Sidney Smith. In lieu of flowers, Doug’s family invites you to support the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation, Hospice of the Red River Valley or the St. Petri Cemetery Fund.