Sharon Paulsen

Sharon Ann Paulsen, 84, of Waukegan passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025, surrounded by the love of Marge, Rich and Wendy and the caring staff at Allure Memory Care of Zion and Vitas Hospice.
Sharon was born July 25th, 1940, in Evansville, Wisconsin, the daughter of Leo F. “Heiner” and Philis “Fran” Dixon Schumacher. Sharon moved to Highland Park, Illinois where she met the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Paulsen while working at the Jewel-Tea grocery store. They married in 1962 and soon settled in Waukegan IL. Richard and Sharon enjoyed 63 years of marriage and had four beautiful children, Richard “Rich”, Marge, Sheila and Norman.
Sharon had an everlasting impact on all that knew her. She worked as a cook for the Waukegan schools where she retired. Sharon had a love for thrifting and going to garage sales. On Saturdays, if she wasn’t at the grocery store stocking up her pantry for the grandkids you would surely find her at one of those sales. She also loved to dance. Polka was her favorite and something that she loved to teach her grandchildren…any chance she got. She enjoyed evenings out with her husband at the Moose Lodge, Croatian Hall, Quonset and TR’s Front Row. But what made her the happiest was time spent with her grandchildren. She glowed in their presence.
Sharon is survived by her loving husband: Richard (Dick) Paulsen of Waukegan; her four children: Richard (Wendy) Paulsen of Waukegan, Marge Paulsen of Waukegan, Shelia (Rich) Hollway of Rockford; Norman (Sherry) Paulsen of Beach Park and six grandchildren: Richard Jr “Richie” and Alexis “Lexi” Paulsen, Aaron Kasting, Aidan Paulsen, Caitlin and Kristin Paulsen; siblings: Judy Hutchison of Carbondale, IL, Randy (Jeane) Schumacher of Janesville, WI and Hubert Arthur of Evansville; plus many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo F. “Heiner” and Philis “Fran” Dixon Schumacher; her sisters, Marlene (Molly) Smith, Sue Katzenmeyer, Nancy Arthur and brother, Leo F. Schumacher Jr. (Dutch).
A Memorial will be held from 2pm-5pm on Saturday, June 7th, 2025, at the Paulsen home.
Please RSVP to Warrp93@sbcglobal.net or text 847-345-6419.