Pauline Bertha Hewitt

Pauline (Olsen) Hewitt, age 84, of Grand Forks, ND, passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior, March 31, 2011 at her winter home in Mesa, AZ surrounded by her family. Pauline Bertha Olsen was born August 7, 1926 in Devils Lake, ND, the daughter of Fred and Ethel Olsen of Edmore. ND. Pauline had many happy memories of growing up in Edmore where her parents worked in the family dry-goods store. She attended the sixth grade in Hillsboro, ND. Next, the family moved to Neche, ND where she graduated from High School co-valedictorian. Pauline attended the University of North Dakota where she received a degree in Home Economics in 1948. She was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. It was at UND she met her future husband Robert D. Hewitt through a church group called the Wesley Foundation which met on campus. Bob and Pauline where united in marriage June 6, 1948 at the First Methodist Church in downtown Grand Forks. They made their home on North 5th street where their first daughter Linda was born. Next the family moved to St. Paul, MN where daughter Barbara was born, then on to Los Angeles where they lived in a trailer park at Monterey, CA. It was here that Pauline was invited to a small group Bible Study by neighbors preparing to become missionaries to Africa. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior February, 1957 and had the assurance of knowing her name was written down in heaven. In 1958 the family returned to Grand Forks where they settled down and son Mark was born. Pauline was a substitute teacher for the Grand Forks Public School system during the 1970's. She cared for her invalid mother for seven years as well as her in-laws and many others who needed help. A devoted wife and Mother, Pauline poured her life into her family. She considered raising her family her career and service to the Lord. She was a very detailed person and kept a very clean house. She enjoyed re-modeling projects, traveling, canning peaches, and going to garage sales. In 1998 Bob and Pauline began spending winters in Arizona, which they enjoyed a great deal. In 2001, Pauline developed weakness in her legs which was later diagnosed as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. As her strength declined, she remained in good spirits, knowing it was God's will for her, and often quoting the verse "The Joy of the Lord is my strength." She is survived by her husband Robert and three children; Daughter Linda (Craig) Coffman of Gilbert, AZ; Daughter Barbara (David) Estill of Gilbert, AZ; and son Mark of Grand Forks, ND; along with Four Grandchildren, and four Great-Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her Parents; Frederick and Ethel (Aslakson) Olsen. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials in her name be directed to Child Evangelism Fellowship or Meals on Wheels of Grand Forks. Funeral Services: April 21, 2011 at 3:00 pm at Faith Evangelical Free Church 2315 Library Circle in Grand Forks, ND. Visitation: one hour before the service. Internment: (Later spring) Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND