Arland W. Paulson, 85, of Maddock, died Monday, August 23, 2010, at Trinity Medical Center in Minot.  Funeral services will be Saturday, August 28th, 2010, 2:00 PM at Viking Lutheran Church rural Maddock, with Pastor Allen Campbell officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 7pm with a 7:00pm Prayer Service at the Nelson Funeral Home in Maddock.   Casket bearers will be his sons:  Lanny, Hal, Clark and Jaimy Paulson and grandchildren:  Aaron Abrahamson,  Cayle, Mindi and Zane Paulson.

Arland Warner Paulson was born February 28th, 1925 on his parents farm near Maddock,  the son of Helmer and Gena (Erickson) Paulson.  He attended grade school at West Antelope District #3 and graduated in 1943 from the Benson County Agricultural and Training School at Maddock.  Following his marriage to Thelma Vikander on October 21, 1950 at Maddock, the couple lived on the home farm.  He farmed with his brother, Orville from 1957 to 1959 and then farmed on his own until his retirement in 1990.

Arland was an excellent musician, playing the accordion and piano by ear.  He played accordion with a small band called "The Stardusters"  from 1945 to 1949.  In 1978, the couple traveled to Norway to vacation and research his ancestry.  Through the years, Arland spent a lot of time researching his family history, communicating often with relatives in Norway.

He assisted his wife with her Nissen doll business from 1985 to 2006 and attended the Minnesota Renaissance Festival every year during that time.  Arland was baptized, confirmed and a lifelong member of Viking Lutheran Church, where he also served on the council.  He was a member and enjoyed playing each year with Hostfest Accordion Club of America at the Hostfest in Minot.  Arland collected and restored a number of antique items and loved to discuss local history with the people of the community and often told humorous stories.

He is survived by his wife:  Thelma of Maddock;  four sons:  Lanny of Bismarck,  Hal of Maddock,  Clark (Tammi) of Hillsboro, ND and Jaimy of Grand Forks;  four grandchildren:  Aaron Abrahamson,  Cayle, Mindi and Zane Paulson and a sister-in-law:  Wanda Paulson of New Rockford.  Arland was preceded in death by his parents;  a son:  Arlie on September 18, 2004;  a brother:  Orville;  two sisters:  Bernice Nelles and Marlys Broten.



Condolences:

I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of Arland Paulson. Please accept my condolences to Thelma and the rest of his family.  I learned to know Arland in 2004, when I visited relatives in Maddock area. We had long and interesting talks about our common ancestors.  I also met him again in 2009. He will be with us in our thoughts also here in Norway.Tor Ivar Strøm

Norsk Hostfest will not be the same this year without Arland and his accordion. I can go back to the days spent on the Paulson farm. Arland always was able to find something interesting for us to do. He fashioned a Viking's helmet from from a piece of a car bumper. He sat down and played the organ by ear jumping from song to song with ease. He always had a smile on his face and would give you a pat on the back when he welcomed you. I was proud to see my son, Nathan, sitting next to Arland during the Accordion Band concerts at Norsk Hostfest. We will miss him.   Rod Wilson