Martha Ann Paulsen, aged 92 of Ludington

Martha Paulsen

Martha Ann Paulsen, aged 92 of Ludington, longtime resident of Scottville, went quietly home to her Savior on Sunday, March 23, 2014 following a courageous fight with cancer.

Martha was born on June 22, 1921 to Jesse and Dona (Sims) White at their home on Crowley Street in Scottville, 30 minutes after her twin sister Mary.  She grew up in Scottville and Carr Settlement and graduated from Custer High School with the class of 1939.  In 1941, she married Harry Paulsen from the Sugar Grove area, and they were together for 19 years.

Martha was the owner of “Martha’s Place” restaurant on Main Street in Scottville in the 1970’s, and worked for Torfe Gedraitis at Laundryland for several years.  She also worked as a home health aide for a few years.  Martha loved gospel music and was part of a group who brought the Rebels Quartet to the Scottville Harvest Festival.  The second generation of the group was the “Booth Brothers” whom Martha enjoyed watching grow up and rarely missed their concerts.  Martha was a former member of the Scottville E.U.B Church, and the Scottville Bible Church, and was currently a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Scottville.

She was preceded in death by her former husband Harry, her parents, her brothers Clair and Jimmy White, her sister Bonita White, her daughter Donna Paulsen, her son-in-law John Chisholm, and her daughter-in-law Betty Paulsen.

Martha will be lovingly remembered by her children Ellen Chisholm, Edwin (Faith) Paulsen, Bonita Wheaton, and Mark (RaeAnne) Paulsen, her grandchildren Lee (Kim) Paulsen, Michelle (Andrew) Thomas, Nick (Debbie) Wheaton, Darla (Steve) Barnes, Marshall (Missy) Wheaton, Dana (Travis) Leapley, Diana (Rich) Issacs, Matthew Wheaton, Justin Paulsen, Jeffrey Paulsen, David Gregwer, Stacy Gregwer, Craig (Michelle) Holtrust, Cassidy (Jeremy Anderson) Holtrust, and Cody Holtrust, 21 great-grandchildren, 2 great, great-grandchildren, her twin sister Mary Worthington, her sister-in-law Barb White, her cousin Betty Blendell, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held for Martha at 1:00 PM on Monday, March 31 at Our Savior Lutheran Church with her pastor, Rev. James Schroeder officiating.  Burial will take place on the family lot in Brookside Cemetery later in the spring.  Friends may meet with her family for a time of visitation on Monday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the church.  Those who wish to make memorial contributions are asked to consider Our Savior Lutheran Church, or Hospice of Michigan – Mason County.  Please visit Martha’s personal memory page at www.stephensfuneralhome.net to read her Life Story, sign her guestbook, or to leave a memory of Martha for her family.