Viola Margie (Winters) Paulson passed away Sunday, December 11, 2016 at Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton, Kansas at the age of 95. She was born on October 27, 1921 on the family farm west of Webster, Kansas to the late George and Rose (Folsom) Winters. She grew up in Rooks County and graduated from Webster High School with the Class of 1939. On January 4, 1942 she was united in marriage to Lars Paulson in Woodston, Kansas. They were blessed with a son, Richard.
Along with being a loving wife, mother, and homemaker, Viola, or “Grandma Vi,” as she came to be known, was never one to slow down or take it easy. In her younger years, she was an avid basketball player. She taught school in the Woodston, Kansas rural schools, substituted in Ashrock, and was a youth leader/Sunday school teacher at the United Methodist Church in Woodston. She also worked in the Maris Clothing Store, and as a CNA at the Solomon Valley Manor, both in Stockton. She was very active in the United Methodist Women, a lifelong member of the American Legion Auxiliary, member of the VFW, and volunteered at SVM as the “Bingo Lady.” She loved to dance to big band music, most especially waltzing. After Lars’ passing, she found a great friend, and partner on the dance floor, in Coburn Henningson. She enjoyed traveling, was a fan of KU basketball, and as a crack shot herself, Grandma Vi loved shooting with her grandkids.
Viola is survived by her son Richard Paulson and wife Annette of Woodston; sister Georgia Buttermore of Denver, CO; brothers Alvy Winters, Jule Winters and wife Betty, and Ivan Winters and wife Shirley all of Hill City, and Lennie Winters and wife Diane of Imperial, Nebraska; seven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
She was preceded in death by her parents George and Rose Winters, husband Lars, brother Billy Winters, grandson Todd Paulson, and an infant sister.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 16, 2016 at the United Methodist Church in Woodston, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Woodston Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Woodston United Methodist Church or Solomon Valley Manor and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N 1st Street, Stockton, KS 67669. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com
It is said that, “Grandma can see what’s invisible to the eye because she looks with her heart.” Grandma Vi was a woman who was full of love and life. She saw the blessings in daily events, and time spent with those she loved, whether big or small. She will be missed for now, but cherished in our hearts forever, as we were in hers.