Luther Roanoke Paulson

Luther Roanoke Paulson, 89, a longtime resident of Moses Lake and World War II Veteran passed away on July 4, 2007, at his home. He was born on the Paulson family farm near Mt. Horeb, Wis., on May 13, 1918, the son of Martin T. Paulson and Susannah E. Engen (Paulson). Luther married Helen Jane Baird on June 5, 1948.

He graduated from Mt. Horeb High School in Wisconsin and went on to receive his Bachelor's Degree in History/Education from Lacrosse State Teachers College. In 1964 he received a Masters of Education from Southern Illinois University.

Luther retired as a Major after 21 years in the U.S. Air Force in 1963. During World War II he was a bombardier and flew 34 missions between Dec. 5,1944, and April 18, 1945. Luther served his country in England, Japan, France, Germany and stateside becoming a meteorologist after World War II.

He is survived by his four daughters — Susan Jane Vertrees of Ellensburg, Deborah Hope Spiger of Nine Mile Falls, Wash., Rebecca Lou Wiser of Moses Lake, and Patricia Helen Ehrhardt of Great Falls, Mont. He is also survived by eight grandchildren — Jennifer and Shannon Vertrees, Benjamin, James and Daniel Spiger, Stacy, Tracy and Travis Wiser as well as four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Orrin (Lavon) Paulson of Viroqua, Wis., and many nieces and nephews.

Luther was preceded in death by his wife in 1990, two sisters, Hope and Grace and three brothers, Henry, Marshall and Canton.

A memorial service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Saturday, July 7, at 10 a.m. Full Military Honors Graveside services will be in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory, Moses Lake.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, c/o 1020 A Street, Moses Lake, WA. 98837.