Marlene Rae Paulson

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

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