Floyd Paulson

Floyd Edwin Paulson Jr. was born on April 9, 1933, to Floyd Edwin Paulson and his wife Dorothy Elizabeth (Stewart) Paulson, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

He was baptized in Norwegian at East St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Rock Dell, Minnesota. Family knew him as Jr, dad, grandpa, gramps, pops and several nicknames over the years - Pinky, Pink Floyd, Super Floyd Baby to name a few.

He graduated from Rochester High School in 1951 and married Barbara Jean Nelson on June 23, 1951. Together they raised 8 children, Steven, Michael, Christopher, Deborah, Doreen, Laurie, Charles and Jill. He loved being a dad and engaged at some level with all his children's interests, whether hunting, fishing, stock car racing, horses, rock/agate collecting, motorcycles, sports and everything in between. He worked long, hard hours to provide for his family.

Jr inherited a mechanical aptitude which made him a natural fit for the construction industry. He cut his teeth in the quarry business starting in 1946 at the age of 13 years old at the Clarence Paulson Quarry located in 18th Avenue in Rochester. He learned many construction skills during this time of his life from his dad, Floyd Sr and his Uncle Clarence - how to drive dump trucks, rebuild engines, weld, run a dragline as well as operate a bulldozer. He loved anything related to the construction business.

As a lifelong heavy equipment operator, he was a member of Local 49er's Operating Engineer Union. He was a skilled crane operator and did many demolition and construction projects associated with downtown development in Rochester while working for Fraser Construction. He spent the last 15 years of his career as the Operations Manager at Builders Sand and Gravel sand pit on Salem Road SW providing certified washed sand for ready-mix companies.

For a change in pace, Jr and Barbara undertook gold mining 13 miles east of Russian Mission Alaska (400 miles west of Anchorage) in 1981. The primitive lifestyle was both challenging / rewarding and not to be repeated.

Jr was an amicable person and would strike up a conversation with anyone. This provided him with countless lifetime friendships over the years. He inherited the gift of gab from his Scottish mother and the Stewart Clan, he always had a good story to share...

He embraced his Nordic spirit by traveling with his beloved wife of 49 years, Barbara. Their adventures included a trip to Dagali, Norway to visit family (Ole and Kirsten Halland), Spain, North Africa, Hawaii 3 times, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco, Mexico, 3 Caribbean cruises including through the Panama Canal traveling East to West. When he retired, they traveled the United States in their motorhome and spent the winters in Arizona or Florida.

As a family, they spent many summer weekends on the Mississippi River on their 25 foot "Honey Bun" cabin cruiser and would head out to their favorite sandbars for camping fun with 8 kids, a dog and a case of the cheapest beer around - sand castles and forts, fishing, hide and seek, water skiing/tubing and games along with some sort of sand in every meal much to Barbara's frustration ... the endless shenanigans made for family memories of a lifetime.

He enjoyed attending all his children's and grandchildren's activities, from sporting events to 4-H Horse Shows at the Olmsted County Fair and the MN State Fair. He was a Boy Scout leader for Troop 107 which included camping at the Boy Scout Jamboree and participation in the Klondike Derby.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, daughter Jill Nelson, parents, Floyd Sr and Dorothy Paulson, brother James Donald Paulson, sister Janice Doreen Aaby, nephew Daniel James Paulson.

Survived by his children, Steven (Kristin) Paulson, Michael, Laurie (Charles) Evenson, Charles (Cheryl), Son-in-Law, Curt Nelson, all of Rochester, MN Christopher, Stewartville, MN, Deborah (Ronald) Larson, Duluth, MN, Doreen Chester, Eyota, MN, sister, Linda (Bruce) Larson, Shoreview, MN, 19 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandson and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Closure to a life well lived would not be complete without using his infamous parting words - "Don't Fall Down", - "Hasta la vista, baby".

A private memorial service is being held, and a Celebration of Life will be Saturday, July 26, 2025. Please contact a family member for details.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Paulson family.