Charles Paulson

Charles Billings “Bill” Fay Paulson, 83, of Rochester, MN passed away on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at his daughter’s home surrounded by family. A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 12th at the Larson Chapel, Mahn Family Funeral Home, Zumbrota, MN at 1 p.m.  Visitation will be 30 minutes prior to the service.

Bill was born December 24, 1937 to Laurel and Florence (Pearson) Paulson in Braham, MN. They moved around throughout his childhood finally settling in Mountain Lake, MN, where he graduated from high school in 1955. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota in journalism following in his father’s footsteps.

His newspaper career began at the Des Moines Register right out of college.  He met the love of his life, Marcia Nelson, at his best friend’s wedding where she was the maid of honor and he was the best man. They were united in marriage the following year at Christ United Methodist Church in Rochester, MN on March 25th, 1962. Following their marriage, they purchased the Butterfield Advocate newspaper.  A few years later they purchased the Mountain Lake Observer from his mother and combined the newspapers, publishing the Observer/Advocate for over 40 years until their retirement.

Bill served six years in the Minnesota National Guard.  He was well known for his weekly column, where he would share his adventures in life with the readers.  He was also involved in several other newspaper ventures in southwest Minnesota, the Southern Minnesota Peach and the printing plant, Central Publications, in Sanborn, MN.

Bill was an active member of both the Butterfield and Mountain Lake communities.  He was a member of the Mountain Lake Rotary and a long supporter of the Butterfield Threshing Bee, where he operated the print shop for many years.  Bill was also an avid fisherman and had great memories on Kansas Lake with his wife as well as fishing trips to the northwoods.  He loved traveling and was able to make many memories with family and friends over the years through these trips.  In retirement he continued to enjoy traveling and watching his beloved Minnesota Twins, Vikings and Gophers.

He lost his wife, Marcia, unexpectedly in June of 2021.  Following her death, Bill spent the last 4 months with his daughter and her family in rural Mazeppa.

He is survived by a daughter and son-in law, Marci and Jim Newcome of Mazeppa, MN; his grandchildren Jordan Newcome of Rochester, MN and Kaitlyn Newcome of Mazeppa, MN; a step-grandson Taylor Newcome of Jackson, MN; a stepsister, Mary Hiebert, of Rock Island, IL and a stepbrother, William Hiebert of Rock Island, IL.  He was preceded in death by his wife Marcia, parents Laurel “Larry” Paulson and Florence (Pearson) Hiebert, and stepfather Nic Hiebert.