Thelma 'Maxine' (Haight) Paulson, 84

Great Falls native Thelma "Maxine" (Haight) Paulson, 84, of Spokane, and formerly of Kalispell, who farmed with her husband for many years on Bootlegger Trail north of Great Falls, died of natural causes Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, at a Spokane care facility.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Thornhill Valley Funeral Home in Spokane. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Hillcrest Lawn Mausoleum in Great Falls. Schnider Funeral Home of Great Falls is in charge of local arrangements.

Survivors include daughters, Bonnie and Carl Smith of Salt Lake City, Connie and Lynn Whiteman of Spokane, and Donna Paulson of Great Falls; grandchildren, Kim Whiteman, Bill and Mary Smith, Robert Whiteman Jr., and Marrakesh and Patrick Nicklay; five great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Thelma was born Jan. 6, 1924, in Great Falls to Bonnie and Howard H. Haight. She was raised on the family farm and attended Pleasant View School before graduating from Great Falls High.

She married Alfred "Toddy" Paulson on June 11, 1941, in Great Falls. They moved to her father's farm on Bootlegger Trail, where they lived and worked until they retired. They sold the farm in 1979 and moved to Flathead Lake, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at their home with family and friends. Toddy passed away in November 1999, and Thelma moved to Spokane.

Maxine cherished her bowling league and tournaments, Elks trips and activities with Toddy. She was the family "peacekeeper" and matriarch, always cooking and caring for anyone who crossed her threshold anytime.

She was a member of Eastern Star, a mother adviser for Rainbow Girls, and was active in Elks Lodge No. 214 DOES.

In addition to her husband, Thelma was preceded in death by a grandson, David Whiteman, in 2006.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Thelma's name may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Condolences may be sent online to www.schniderfuneralhome.com.