Roberta “Bobbie” (Samson) Paulsen was born on April 22, 1931 in Neola, Iowa to Gerald and Edith (Barrier) Samson. She grew up in Neola and after graduation worked in the office of the Neola Gazette Reporter.
After her marriage to Dale West they lived in Minden until 1951 when they moved to California where she worked for Lloyde of London Insurance in Los Angeles. In 1952, they moved back to Minden where their first son was born. In 1954, their second son was born. They later moved back to California where in 1960 their daughter was born.
Bobbie was a stay at home mom, she was a Sunday School teacher, Girl Scout Leader and Cub Scout Leader. She volunteered at the school library. Dale and Bobbie moved back to Minden where she was the church organist for Minden United Church of Christ for 15 years. She was also a secretary for Sweeney Associates in Neola. In 1987, she married Wayne Paulsen and they formed a small band and played for several years around the area.
On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, Bobbie passed away at Avoca Specialty Center having attained the age of ninety years and twenty days. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband Dale West.
Survivors include her husband Wayne Paulsen of Walnut, IA; children Steven West of Henderson, NV; Michael (Belinda) West of Escondido, CA; Suzanne (Chuck) Paynter of Leesburg, VA; stepchildren Jan (Jim) Irwin of Sunbury, OH; Jacqueline Paulsen of Omaha, NE; 4 grandchildren; 2 step grandsons; 3 great grandsons; 5 step great grandchildren; sister Pat (Steve) Parsons of Grand Junction, CO; nieces and nephews, other family and many friends.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 15, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery in Avoca. Public visitation is Friday, May 14 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca. Family will greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Pauley Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
