Trudy Paulson

Trudy Paulson, age 97, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Monday, April 6, 2026, at a local care center.  She was the widow of Neal Paulson.  Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Watertown.  Pastor Aaron Asmus will officiate. 

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Pallbearers will be Jacob Bangasser, Adam Annis, Leah Bangasser, Nicole Annis, Eric Muller and Luke Muller.

Trudy was born on December 2, 1928, in Wiesbaden, Germany, to Georg and Marie Antoinette Kloeffler, Trudy grew up alongside her twin sister, Anne Marie. She attended school in Okriftel and Hochst, Germany.

Trudy served as the Head of Personnel for US Government civilian employees in the Frankfurt, Germany area. She was so highly regarded that even after Trudy retired, former colleagues would visit her home for her professional advice. It was through her work connections that she met her husband, Neal Paulson. The couple shared a love for fox hunting together and were married in October 1959 in Bad Soden, Germany.

In 1970, Trudy and Neal moved to South Dakota. They lived in Watertown & raised cattle and crops on their farm west of Watertown. Trudy embraced farm life, working with Neal while raising their three children: Carl, Marie, and John.

Trudy’s passion was horses, a love she inherited from her parents. An accomplished rider in Dressage and Show Jumping, Trudy spent her life in the saddle. Her love was so strong that she celebrated her 80th birthday by going for a ride. Her home was a testament to this love, filled with horse figurines, dishes, and jewelry.

Trudy was deeply involved in her community. She taught Sunday School at Mount Olive Lutheran Church for many years and volunteered with the Saddle Up therapeutic riding program at Derby Downs, leading horses for children until she was in her early eighties. Trudy was also a familiar face at the Prairie Lakes Wellness Center, where she swam laps four or five times a week. Trudy was perhaps best known for her legendary brownies, which she shared generously with family, friends, and local staff at the Rec Center and Mark’s Auto.

She found her greatest joy in her family, especially when they gathered at her home for holidays and the annual pheasant hunting season. She delighted in the laughter of her children and grandchildren, whether they were at the pool or racing go-karts, often saying she just liked seeing everyone else having fun.

Trudy is survived by her children, Carl (Sandy Rutherford) Paulson, Marie (Jim) Bangasser, and John Paulson; her grandchildren, Nicole (Adam) Annis and Jacob (Leah) Bangasser; and her great-grandson, Wyatt Annis.

Trudy was preceded in death by her husband, Neal, her parents, Georg and Marie Antoinette Kloeffler, and her twin sister, Anne Marie.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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