Nora Paulson

Nora Melvold Paulson, 103, died Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Eventide at Hi-Acres, Jamestown.

Nora was born on March 25, 1908 on the 320-acre family farm near Anamoose, North Dakota (ND) in Northern Sheridan County to Martin and Tillie (Smethstad) Melvold. Nora was the last of the homestead families in the state of North Dakota and was one of five children that included Emma, Alice, Selmer and Melvin. She graduated from high school in 1926 and taught for one year in country schools before entering Trinity Nursing School in Jamestown in 1927 and graduating in 1930. Nora did private duty nursing for the next 21 years before moving to the Intensive Care Unit at Trinity Hospital. Nora was offered the position as head nurse of the Medical-Surgical Unit at Jamestown Hospital in 1950 and stayed in that role for the next 22 years until her retirement in 1972.

Nora met her husband, Roy Paulson, while private duty nursing for his sister, Marie Gates, who was pregnant and gave birth under Nora?s care. Roy and Nora were married in 1930 and their only child, Marilyn Maureen, was born in 1932. The couple remained together for the next 56 years until Roy?s passing in 1987.

Nora enjoyed her retirement with Roy and their poodles, Fifi, Pierre and Rennie; traveling to family in California; to see the grandchildren, David and Brian, in Philadelphia; and with frequent summer trips she and Roy took the grandchildren on throughout North and South Dakota and Canada during the 1970s and 1980s. Nora also cherished her time spent in the flower garden as well as knitting.

Nora?s love of cooking, particularly her baking of sugar cookies was well known by all who came to know her. Nora was also an active member of First United Methodist Church for over 70 years.

Nora is survived by her grandson, Brian (Nancy) Spector, Chicago, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Tillie Melvold, brothers Melvin and Selmer, sisters Emma and Alice, husband Roy, daughter, Marilyn Spector and grandsons, Scott Allen and David Eric.