Raymond Chris Paulsen

Raymond Chris Paulsen, born in Superior, Wisconsin on September 23, 1930, died March 11, 2011 at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth.

Despite battling cancer since 1984, Ray loved life and accepted all that it brought. He loved God, his family, and country. Ray enjoyed people, and was very outgoing in public, but preferred a quiet life at home.

Survivors include daughter Julie (Jim) Krznarich, Ironwood, MI; son Roland (Angela) Paulsen, Wisconsin Rapids, WI; grandchildren Jesse Paulsen, Madison, WI, Catina Stoflet, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, Joseph CasaDeCalvo, Minneapolis, MN, and great-granddaughter Carmen Stoflet, Wisconsin Rapids, WI.

Ray was preceded in death by his father Chris, his mother Esther, his first wife (and mother of his children) Julia, and second wife, Carmen.

He graduated from Superior Central High, and attended Superior State College. After graduating from the American Institute of the Air, Minneapolis, MN, Ray worked as a radio announcer at WSBR in Superior, WJMS in Ironwood, MI and WDSM in Superior.

Ray became a pioneer of Twin Ports television as an announcer and weatherman at WDSM/KBJR Channel 6, but is best known for his characters on local children’s shows, including Sparx, Bozo the Clown, and Mr. Toot.

He left broadcasting in 1977 to be the Executive Director of the Superior Chamber of Commerce. He then became the first General Manager of Mariner Mall in 1980, retiring from that position after nine years. After retirement, Ray worked part time at Bingham Hardware.

Ray served in the United States Army, and was honorably discharged. He was active in stock car racing from the inception of the Tri-State Racing Association. Ray and Carmen became licensed private pilots in 1981, and loved flying, especially to Carmen’s home state of Montana. He was a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, the Danish Brotherhood in America, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and the Superior Optimist Club.

Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM, Monday, March 14, 2011 at the Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior. Visitation will resume at 10:00 AM, on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at Pilgrim Lutheran Church and continue until the 11:00 AM funeral service with Rev. Doctor Mark Hillmer, officiating and Rev. Ronald Becklund as homilis.

Pallbearers for the service will be Toby Marcovich, Jim Christianson, Joseph CasaDeCalvo, Roger Lundquist, Bill Maki, Bill Ellison, Cedric Johnson and Mike Upthegrove.

Memorials may be given to Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 820 Belknap Street, Superior, WI 54880, or to Duluth Clinic Education and Research, 400 E. 3rd Street, Duluth, MN 55805, to be earmarked for cancer research.

To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.downs-lesage.com.