Ellen Therese Paulsen, 54, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Ellen was born on August 12, 1971, at Jackson County Hospital in Maquoketa to Darrell and Arline (Whitton) Paulsen. Ellen attended school in the Maquoketa Community School District.  She worked for many years at DAC in Maquoketa. For the past 25 years, Ellen lived at Prairie House in Maquoketa, where she built strong relationships with both staff and residents. She enjoyed swimming, listening to music—especially Neil Diamond—spending time outdoors, visiting parks, and going for drives or picnics. She also appreciated being read to and looked forward to Sunday dinners in Lost Nation.

Those left to remember her include her father, Darrell; her sisters, Maria (Bruce) Miller of Iowa City, Lisa Ivey of Chicago, and Ann Paulsen of Cedar Rapids; and her brothers, Brent (Camille) Paulsen of Chicago and Frederick (Vicky) Paulsen of San Ramon, California.  She also had one nephew Nathan, and 6 nieces Marisa, Claire, Danielle, Sarah, Catherine and Alecia. She was preceded in death by her mother, Arline, and her maternal and paternal grandparents.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Dawson Funeral Home in Maquoketa. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 6 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Lost Nation, with visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. A private family burial will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Lost Nation.

The family would like to share their appreciation to Imagine the Possibilities staff, Jackson County Regional Hospital and UIHC Medical Intensive Care Unit for the kindness and caring for Ellen and her family during her hospitalization.

Memorials may be made to Imagine the Possibilities in Ellen's honor. Online condolences may be shared at www.dawsonfuneral.com. Cards and condolences may be mailed to: Dawson Funeral Services Attn: Ellen Paulsen Family P.O. Box 258 Wyoming, Iowa 52362.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.