Norman Richard Paulson (Stormin\u2019 Norman) passed away peacefully October 10, 2025, at his home in Helena, with his family by his side and his favorite music playing. Norm was born September 24, 1934 in Woburn, ND to John L. Paulson and Flossie M. Frazier. He was a man of quick wit and strong convictions. He had a strong love of family, country music and the military.<\/p>\n
Norman was a proud veteran. He served his country from 1956 until his retirement in 1994. He earned his 82nd<\/sup> Airborne Division paratrooper badge at Fort Bragg Military Base in North Carolina successfully completing 38 jumps from a perfectly good airplane. After serving in the 82nd<\/sup> Airborne he served in the North Dakota Army National Guard where he was appointed to the rank of First Sergeant.\u00a0 His service in North Dakota was followed by service in the Montana Army National Guard where he served on Active Duty until his retirement. Norm was a highly respected NCO whose mentorship and guidance was sought after by Officer and Enlisted Soldiers alike. \u00a0He had a deep love and conviction for his fellow Soldiers their families and his country. He continued to serve his country by volunteering for the DAV including being a volunteer driver to get veterans to their appointments with the VA. He was a lifelong member of the North Dakota VFW where he earned a distinguished appointment to the Military Order of the Cooties, he was also a lifelong member of the American Legion, the DAV and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard.<\/p>\n While working for the Soo Line Railroad with the B&B (Bridge and Building) crew, Norman met the love of his life Trudy Grendal whose father Oscar was the Soo Line depot agent in Whitetail, MT, and so, it began. Trudy and Norman were married June 4, 1955 in Flaxville, Montana. They left the day after the wedding for Fort Bragg military base in North Carolina so Norman could continue his training. Their union brought three children into the world, Louise (LuAnn), Lowell (Butch), and Lanae (Dawn). Although Norman and Trudy divorced in 1973, they remained close until Trudy\u2019s passing in 2014.<\/p>\n After serving in the 82nd<\/sup> Airborne, Norm went to work at the Glasgow Air Force Base as a civil service delivery truck operator, leaving there for Billings where he was a small engine mechanic at the old Scheels Hardware downtown.\u00a0 His carpentry skills led him to a position managing a custom cabinet building shop in Billings prior to him starting his full-time National Guard Career.\u00a0 Norm was always on hand to help build an addition to a home, a new garage, kitchen cabinets or a simple shelf or personal project. Telling tall tales about his life growing up with six siblings, the things he learned while working on the Christensen Farm and Ranch while in high school, and the many adventures growing up in Flaxton, ND. His stories were legendary and countless. If you met him, you loved him. He made us all laugh with his wonderful sense of humor. \u00a0Norm never forgot his roots.<\/p>\n Normans\u2019 life story would not be complete without a mention of the Dakota Playboys. The band consisted of 5 members. Norm was lead singer and rhythm guitar player. The original name of the band was the Dakota Troubadours but Dakota Playboys was the favorite. They played North Dakota and Eastern Montana nightclubs and dance halls. They were good and in high demand. The band disbanded many years later but the music lives on. It was a special treat when dad would take out his guitar and play and sing for us.<\/p>\n Norman married Laverne Carstens in February of 1974. They were together until her passing in June of 2012.<\/p>\n Norman is survived by his brother, Wayne Paulson (Sharol), his children, LuAnn Barman, Butch Paulson, and Dawn Paulson-Morgan (Gary). He had 8 grandchildren, Greg Locken, Susan Hodges, Jerred Berns, April Berns, Leinani Hance, Taylor Barman (Brianna), Richard Morgan (Savannah), and Joey Paulsonmorgan (Megan). He was also blessed with 12 great grandchildren and 11 Great-great grandchildren. He had many nieces and nephews and countless friends who loved him dearly. Special thank you to Kathy for caring for dad so dearly.\u00a0 We would also like to thank Dr Bailey and her staff for caring for Dad these past years, also all of Dad\u2019s Hospice team, Michael and Karissa, the kindness you showed Dad was much appreciated.<\/p>\n Norman was preceded in death by his parents, John and Flossie, brothers Neal and Jack, sisters Betty, Flossie, and Amy, grandson Greg, great-great granddaughter Serenity Rose and sons-in-law, Bryan Barman and Jeffrey Post.<\/p>\n Burial with Military Honors is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., Friday, May 8, 2026 at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","photo":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Norman-Paulson_0001.jpg","youtube_video_url":"","service_status":"public","event_title1":"Burial with Military Honors","event_date1":"2026-05-08","start_time1":"3:00 p.m.","end_time1":"","location1":"Montana State Veterans Cemetery","address1":"3550 Heroes Rd.","city1":"Fort Harrison","state1":"Montana","zipcode1":"59636","event_title2":"","event_date2":"","start_time2":"","end_time2":"","location2":"","address2":"","city2":"","state2":"","zipcode2":"","event_title3":"","event_date3":"","start_time3":"","end_time3":"","location3":"","address3":"","city3":"","state3":"","zipcode3":"","event_title4":"","event_date4":"","start_time4":"","end_time4":"","location4":"","address4":"","city4":"","state4":"","zipcode4":"","event_title5":"","event_date5":"","start_time5":"","end_time5":"","location5":"","address5":"","city5":"","state5":"","zipcode5":"","event_title6":"","event_date":"","start_time6":"","end_time6":"","location6":"","address6":"","city6":"","state6":"","zipcode6":"","event_title7":"","event_date7":"","start_time7":"","end_time7":"","location7":"","address7":"","city7":"","state7":"","zipcode7":"","event_title8":"","event_date8":"","start_time8":"","end_time8":"","location8":"","address8":"","city8":"","state8":"","zipcode8":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case\/31555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/case"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}