Obituary of Nanci Kay Paulseth

Nanci Kay Paulseth (Tischart), 64, of Sturgeon Lake, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family on May 24, 2020.
 

Nanci was born June 25, 1955 to Charles and Ruby Tischart. She grew up in Baudette, Minnesota, where she had many fond childhood memories. After graduating from high school, Nanci earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Bemidji State University. On August 9, 1980, she married Gerald “Joe” Paulseth.  For the first six years of their marriage they spent time living in Arizona and Colorado.  In 1986 they moved back to Minnesota and started a family.  They settled in the Moose Lake community and Nanci took a teaching position at the Barnum Elementary School. Nanci received her master’s degree in Education from St. Scholastica and went on to pursue a certificate in Reading and Literacy from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.  She taught numerous grade levels over her 30-year teaching career.  She had a true passion for reading and a unique ability to make any children’s book come alive.  In 2015, she retired from teaching and continued to pursue her love of reading while working part-time at the Moose Lake Public Library.

Her work went far beyond the classroom, as she was involved in numerous community volunteer groups.   Nanci had a gift for fundraising and grant writing.  She served for many years as the president of the Moose Lake Dollars For Scholars program and was instrumental in raising money to establish the local girls hockey program. She was also involved in the planning of the Holy Angels Catholic Church, where she would later provide regular communion to the shut-ins. 

Nanci enjoyed the simple pleasures in life: a long phone call with a friend, a good book, flowers, bird watching, agate picking, shopping (especially for her granddaughter) and watching the Minnesota Twins.  She was active in her children’s lives, never missing a band/drama performance, sporting event or a chance to treat them to lunch. She looked forward to filling her summers off with family vacations, couples’ fishing trips, outings with girlfriends, and quiet mornings on the lake.  She took pride in celebrating others, never missing an occasion, and always finding the most thoughtful gifts. She will be remembered for her kindness and never-ending dedication to her family, friends, students and the community.

She is survived by her husband, Gerald Paulseth of Sturgeon Lake, MN; daughter, Carley (Spencer) Deutz of Fargo, ND; son, Erik Paulseth of Superior, WI; beloved granddaughter, Cambelle Deutz; brother, Chuck (Kathy) Tischart of Baudette, MN; sister, Loraine (Dorvin) Baker of Elk River, MN, and her many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank everyone who has so generously supported them throughout Nanci’s  three-year cancer journey, especially the Mercy Hospital Oncology Team and St. Croix Hospice.  

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family to establish a Dollars for Scholars scholarship in her memory, providing support to students pursuing careers in education or the library sciences.