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Martha Paulson, age 97, of Lemmon, SD, passed away on Monday morning, January 1, 2024, at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, ND.

Funeral services for Martha will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Lemmon, SD.  Pastor Charlotte Kvale will officiate with burial to follow in the Greenhill Cemetery at Lemmon.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD.

Martha Elizabeth Hay was born Johannes and Nora (Levielle) Hay on February 26, 1926, on the family farm North of Thunder Hawk in Sioux County. She was the 2nd child of 9. Martha was a big help to her mother with raising the younger children. Martha attended Thunder Hawk High School. As she got older she moved in with the Swanson Family to help with their children. It was here that she met Gordon Ericsson, a hired man for the family. Martha and Gordon were married on November 10th, 1944.  The couple had 3 children.

Most people from that time would remember Martha as an excellent cook for at the local cafes. An untimely auto accident put an end to Martha's working years. Even though she became disabled as a result of the accident she was able to carry on taking care of the home until Gordon passed away in 1973. During the years that followed Martha would help her family and neighbors. She rekindled her friendship with Henry Paulson and they married December 27, 1976. They enjoyed traveling and playing pinochle at home and at the Lemmon Senior Citizen Center.

In 1980 Henry passed away. Martha stayed active for many years socializing with friends and family. Martha's greatest joy in life was her family. She passed on her love for pinochle to her grandchildren and their children. It was not uncommon for holiday gatherings to be held at her home, and nobody ever left the house hungry. Martha would also provide holiday meals to homebound friends and neighbors for many years. in 2018 Martha entered Five Counties Nursing Home, as she could no longer live alone. During her years there Martha most enjoyed attending the various activities offered. She most loved bingo and Yahtzee, and visits from her family. Martha sadly passed away January 1st, 2024, just shy of her 98th year.

Martha is survived by her brother, John (Connie) Hay; son, Jerry Ericsson; 7 grand children and many great grand children as well as several great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her Mother and father: Johanas (John C A ) and Nora (Leveille) Hay; two husbands, Gordon Ericsson and Henry Paulson; and daughters, Loraine Moore and  Beverly Dauenhauer; sisters, Margret Gibbons, Alice (Gibbons) Dean, Betty Paulson, Clara Engle, Lydia Wrenn and Sally Ericsson; and one brother, Leonard Hay; daughter-in-law, Judy Ericsson and son-in-law, Ted Dauenhauer.