Sonja Paulson

sonja paulson
Sonja Paulson of Fargo, ND moved to heaven on May 27, 2018 at the age of 79. She passed away peacefully under the loving care of the palliative unit at Sanford Hospital in Fargo. Sonja was born May 11, 1939 to Carl and Cora Eilefson in Walnut Grove, MN. Sonja attended Walnut Grove high school where she graduated in 1957. After graduation, she attended St. Olaf College and then moved to Minneapolis. After some time in Minneapolis, she and her closest friend moved to Fargo, ND. Sonja worked at Heartford, Lutheran Social Services, and also as a custodian. It was in Fargo where she met the love of her life, David Paulson. Sonja and Dave were married on July 21, 1962 at St. Olaf church in Walnut Grove, MN. They lived, worked, and raised their family in Fargo, ND, where they also became charter members at Liberty Lutheran Church. Sonja grew up in a very boisterous household with 4 sisters and 1 brother. She carried her lively childhood culture into her everyday life and she had a fierce love for her family. In raising her family, she also set an example through her strong faith and love for God. She loved to attend church, shop, cook, bake, and she loved to host family gatherings. Her favorite times were when everyone in her family all got together and would be talking over each other. She loved to laugh and she loved to love. Sonja spent the last year and a half at Rosewood on Broadway. Her family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the friends and staff at Rosewood and at Sanford Palliative Care. They made Sonja’s last years full and joyful and they made her last days peaceful and pain free. Sonja is survived by her husband of 55 years and 9 months, David; daughter, Melanie (David) Herr, Elgin, ND; daughter, Michelle (Tony) Slagle, Fargo, ND; son, Craig Fargo, ND; adored grandchildren, Laura (Mason) Zimmerman, Elgin, ND; Kyle (Jessica) Herr, Bismarck, ND; Kaspari (Brad) Hoffmann, Grand Forks, ND; and by 4 equally adored great-grandchildren (Kaydence, Jayce, Macy Grace, and Dominic David). Sonja is preceded in death by her parents, 4 sisters, and 1 brother. Sonja was loved by all, and she will be dearly missed by friends and family.

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  1. Aunt SONJA will be missed by all. She did live life to the fullest. As my moms youngest sister, she like all her sisters were always fun to be around. Their laughter was contagious. I have so many memories of the Eilefson girls and families growing up. All my aunts are now together in heaven having fun together again. Those Norwegians know how to have fun.
    Prayers go out to immediate family in Fargo. God bless you all.

  2. Farewell to another 1957 Walnut Grove Classmate. We will all be joining you soon enough, but some are leaving way too soon.

  3. So sad to hear of Sonja’s passing. I have so many memories of fun and laughter during our high school years, Sunday school, and Luther league events. How 4 of us from St. Olaf would always sit together eating cake and drinking cool aid and laughing over everything. I will always remember Sonja as a special friend. RIP Sonja!

  4. David I am so sorry about you loss of your wife, and for ever friend. You were so very close, working , loving together. Your friend always curt and Irene Tweten

  5. Dave and Family,

    We were so sorry to hear of Sonja’s passing. We enjoyed our brief chats with both of you, usually when seeing you at a local restaurant. Your love of her was always evident.

  6. Sorry to hear of Sonja’s passing. We went to St. Olaf Church, Walnut Grove and knew the Eilefson’s,
    they were always a friendly, gracious family. God’s blessing to each of you, may the many memories
    you have shared be helpful in the difficult days to come. I can still hear her chuckle.


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