Delmer Paulson, 89, of West Concord, died on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at home surrounded by his family.
He was born in Olmsted County on March 18th, 1937, to Elmer and Alice (Blanchard) Paulson. Delmer attended rural school through 8th grade and then continued high school, graduating from Pine Island in 1955. He worked various jobs until entering the U.S. Navy in March of 1956, where he served duty aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Lake Champlain. Upon his discharge, Delmer went to work for Westinghouse elevator division.
In September 1958, he met Joanne Rhodes, and they later married on January 25, 1959, in Rochester. The couple were given the opportunity to start farming on Joanne’s parents’ farm, so they decided to make the move. There on the farm, they raised four children, Michael, Del Marie, Kenneth, and Anthony.
As a family, they participated in 4-H, FFA, school sports, and church activities as members of West Concord Methodist Church, where they served on various boards. Delmer was furthermore a member of three different farm organizations, served on several farm commodity boards, and a member of the American Legion Post 295. While farming, Delmer was a dairy farmer for 27 years, beef farmer for 24 years, and did custom hire work for 43 years which included baling, seeding, chopping, combining, etc. When not busy on the farm, Delmer and Joanne were on seven cruise trips, plus several coach trips together.
Delmer is survived by his wife Joanne of 67 years; their children, Michael of West Concord, Del Marie (and Greg) of Kasson, Kenneth (and Sheryl) of West Concord, and Anthony (and Shannon) of Kasson; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; siblings, Haven, David (and Lois), Delores, and Patricia; and sister-in-law, Cori Paulson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lyle; and great-granddaughter, Faith.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Michaelson Funeral Home in West Concord from 4-7 PM. A memorial service will be on Friday, October 9, 2026, at the Bell Tower Center in West Concord at 11 AM with a visitation one hour before. Interment will take place at Concord Cemetery. Following the burial, there is a reception at the American Legion Post 295 in West Concord.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, American Legion Post 295, or the West Concord Historical Society.
