Marlene Rae Paulson
March 09, 2012
Marlene Rae (Sherrick) Paulson, 46 of Urbandale, IA, formally of Connellsville, PA, died March 9, 2012, in Urbandale, IA. She was born on Sept 6, 1965, in Connellsville, PA, to William and Ann (Basile) Sherrick. Marlene graduated with the class of 1984 of Connellsville High School, and then studied food nutrition in several technical classes.
She moved to Houston, TX, where she worked for the Gulf Coast Animal Eye Clinic, and where her love of animals began. Marlene adopted her first cat, Puddy, and later rescued from a dumpster-diving expedition, a yellow tabby who she named Squeaker because of his meow. Once the family moved to Iowa, Marlene, knowing older cats are less easily adopted, gave a home to Leo, a 3-year-old cat. Later, she expanded her pet collection by adopting Katie Bell the dog, and her grandmother’s cat, Buffy. Towards the end of her life, Marlene loved feeding the birds in the back yard. Her testament was her love for animals.
Marlene followed in the footsteps of her two twin sisters, Karen and Sharon. Like Sharon, she took cake decorating classes and used her skill to make cakes on all special occasions for Andrew, Shannon and other friends in her neighborhood. Like Karen, she worked for various school cafeterias until Andrew was born. Then she became a full-time mother, a real mother hen. Once she moved to Iowa she worked at the Waukee, Urbandale, and Johnston School districts until she was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in 2011.
She is survived by her husband of 13 years, Shannon Paulson of Urbandale, IA; son, Andrew Paulson; sisters, Karen (Dean) Pastorius of Dunbar, PA, Sharon (Denny) Koslosky of Mt. Pleasant, PA; brothers, Larry (Sally) Sherrick of Connellsville, PA, Randy (Elizabeth “Dee” DeCarlo) Sherrick of Mount Pleasant, PA, Terry Sherrick of Dunbar, PA, Ronald Sherrick of Mt. Pleasant, PA; brother-in-law, Sean (Kari) Paulson of Dana, IA; mother-in-law, Donna Paulson of Boone, IA; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Marlene was preceded in death by parents, William (1999) and Ann (2003); her sister, Sandy Sherrick (2009); father-in-law, Doug Paulson (1993); and her beloved pets, Puddy and Squeaker.
Two services will be held for Marlene. The first on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 126 East Fairview Avenue, Connellsville, PA, at 11:00 a.m. The second on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Zion Lutheran Church, 319 W. Elm Street, Ogden, IA, at 11:00 a.m. Her cremated remains will be laid to rest at Maas Cemetery in Ogden, IA, following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family. Donations will be directed to the Komen Foundation or the SPCA, two foundations that Marlene cared deeply about.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Kathy Moeller
03/22/2012
Shannon and family, my deepest sympathies! I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers!
Claudia Andyjohn Urosek
03/18/2012
My deepest sympathy to your family and the Sherrick families. Marlene grew up as a neighbor and I always remember her exactly as the little girl in the picture that Jennifer Canada Miller posted on facebook.
jessie taylor
03/17/2012
sorry to hear of your loss....marlene was a classmate of mine
Roxie Dwyer
03/16/2012
Shannon, you and Andrew are in my prayers. Marlene was an amazing person and I will miss her. Dear Heavenly Father,You have Marlene in your care now, please help Shannon and Andrew during this time of grieving and help them adjust their lives on this earth with Marlene now with you. Bless them and keep them safe.In your precious son Jesus who died on the cross to save us from our sins and rose from the dead giving us eternal life. Amen
Akrem Saed
03/13/2012
Dear Shannon,
I was deeply saddened by the death of Marlene. You and Andrew are in my thoughts and my prayers.
May God bless you and your family during this time and always.
Sincerely,
Akrem
Alan Imrek DDS
03/12/2012
Dear Shannon,
My sincere condolences to you, Andrew and to your family. I am shocked. We mourn your loss and will be keeping you and Andrew in our prayers. It seems like only yesterday when we were at St.Mark's.
Blessings,
Alan
Joe D
03/13/2012
Shannon,
You and your family are in our prayers! Please let us know if you need anything.
Joe D