April 6, 1952 – June 18, 2009
PAULSON Donn Steven, DVM Passed away on June 18, 2009, after a long battle with chemical dependency. Donn was born April 6, 1952, graduated from Ferris High School in 1970 and from Pacific Lutheran University in 1974. He did graduate work in zoology at Colorado State University and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Washington State University in 1985. After an internship at Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston, one of the leading animal hospitals in the world, he moved back to Spokane, his lifelong home, in 1986 to practice as a veterinarian. He excelled in any job he ever had. After leaving veterinary medicine, he worked in car sales and financing at Wendle Motors. He had a large extended family and sold almost every member a car. He loved all animals, was an avid reader, and was proud of his gardening and preserving skills, especially every vintage of Donn’s Delectable Dills. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time at the family cabin at Priest Lake, where he relaxed, hiked and backpacked, water skied and picked huckleberries his entire life. He loved his family and they loved him. He is survived by his father, Dr. Eric Paulson of Spokane; his best friend and uncle, Dr. Paul Paulson (Denise) of Spokane; his sister, Ann Roberts (Wolf) of Spokane; sister Solveig Miller (Jon) of Moscow, Idaho; brothers, Rev. David Paulson (Diane) of Eugene, Ray Paulson (Margie) of Spokane, and Rolf Paulson of Milford, Connecticut. He is also survived by his aunt, Dr. Helen Landsverk; his former wife and forever friend, Dr. Linda Lee Wood (Gary); his cats, Elliott and Groucho, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Elna Mae Paulson. Memorials may be made to SpokAnimal or Daybreak of Spokane. Arrangements are pending with Smart Cremation. A private memorial for the family will be held this summer at Priest Lake.
Published by Spokesman-Review from Jun. 23 to Jun. 24, 2009.