Pauline Dyreng Poulsen passed away peacefully on October 8, 2020 in Salt Lake City. She was born on September 22, 1928 in Manti Utah to Ray Peter Dyreng and Nettie May Wintch Dyreng. She was the youngest of eight children and an unexpected twin. Her growing up years were spent in Manti with the inspiring temple overlooking the valley. She loved her beautiful home and the many friends in their community. At an early age she was recognized for her musical ability. She had perfect pitch, an angel voice, and was a talented pianist. While in high school Pauline and her sisters Claire and Lucille traveled on the Grand Lyceum Tour concertizing in the Western states. They received notoriety for their rendition of the Swiss Echo.
She attended BYU and graduated with a degree in Music and Piano Performance and was also affiliated with the Val Norn Sorority. She and her sister Claire received mission calls at the same time to the same North Central States Mission and served together as companions. After graduating from BYU, she moved to New York City to continue her musical studies where she met her sweetheart, Udell Poulsen, and later married in the Manti Temple.
Pauline and Udell settled in San Francisco where Udell’s position with Del Monte was headquartered. They started their family and had two children while living there. After five years they were sent on an oversees assignment to Capetown, South Africa where Udell managed a subsidiary of Del Monte and added another child to their growing family. They spent only twelve months back in San Francisco before they were called to preside over the Finland Helsinki Mission for three years where they added another child to the family. All in all, she had four children on three different continents North America, Africa, and Europe.
Pauline’s life was devoted to serving her family, the church, and her many cherished friends and neighbors. She held many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints including Young Woman’s President, Ward Organist, Stake Music Director, Conductor, and as a Counselor in numerous presidencies. She also taught piano lessons and was a member of the Tabernacle Choir. She traveled the world with the Tabernacle Choir both as a member and as a spouse to the Choir’s Business Manager for 24 years. She was small in stature but large in example. We will miss her greatly but know her reunion is joyous.
She is survived by her four children Stanford (Joanne) Dallas Texas, Pamela Croft (David) Sandy Utah, Camille Mauerhan (Peter) Bountiful Utah, and Dallin (Angela) Twin Falls, Idaho, 17 grandchildren, and 14 1/2 great grandchildren.
Social Distancing permitting we will hold a viewing at Larkin Sunset Lawn at 2350 East 1300 South on October 18th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. A graveside service will be held in Manti, Utah on October 19th at 1:00PM. In lieu of flowers send donations to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Missionary fund.
Pauline was a very classy woman. She taught piano to all 3 of my children. She was my visiting teaching companion for years and never missed our monthly visits. She always volunteered for everything (ward parties, neighborhood block parties, etc) . She is an absolute sweetheart and my family will remember her and Udell fondly
Our family sends our sympathies since we won’t be able to attend in person due to high rush individuals in our family. We lived across the street on Sherwood 17 years ago for 10 years until we moved up the street. Pauline and Udell were always so supportive of our family and our kids considered Pauline another grandma. She would make a spice cake that our kids would eat so fast it was so delicious! It was their favorite! Our heart goes out to your family at this time of loss.
This afternoon I received a phone call from Ruth Brasher, Pauline’s missionary companion serving in Minneapolis, telling me of Pauline’s passing that was posted in the paper. We mourn with you, for you need to know that my mother was converted by Sister Brasher and Sister Dyreng and it has been the greatest blessing in our lives. My mother went on to share the gospel with many, and about fifty people were baptized as a result over the decades. My husband and I have had the privilege to be the president and matron of the Twin Falls Temple the last three years, a blessing that always brings to mind the image of these sweet sister missionaries who brought the gospel to our home. Pauline wrote a letter to my parents from Finland that my mother treasured. May you feel peace and comfort knowing of the love we have for your family, and gratitude for Pauline’s mission, which she has now been assigned another.
Dear Poulsen family--I was blessed to know both Pauline and Udell during my years in the Tabernacle Choir. They were both lovely, delightful people through and through. Claire Richards was a friend and neighbor and I was delighted to make the sister connection. I send my love and sympathy to you all--I'm sure you will miss her terribly. Liz Warner
Pauline and Udell served together in Finland for three years, but their love for us became everlasting. Their example and service remains and prevails in our lives as a testament of them and their devotion to the Lord.
We are happy that Udell has his ETERNAL companion by his side again.
You changed my life and lives of multitudes of others on this path - ALL because You took upon yourselves to fellowship and counsel a teenager to serve a mission. .. I am eternally thankful.
Your beautiful mom! She was definitely a light to everyone, always with a smile on her face. I'm sad for her passing but happy that she is now with Udell. Lots of love to the Poulsen family!
We love the Poulsens! Both Pauline and Udell have had such a great influence on my life as neighbors, friends, and by encouraging me to audition for the Choir. They were beautiful inside and out, and I'm so happy they can be together again. We wish all the family our love and sympathy.
--Cindy Doxey Green.
Dear Stan, Pam, Camille and Dallin.
Your mom was my role model! I feel a great loss at her passing, but I know that she is experiencing a happy reunion for her, your dad and all of your family on the other side. It seemed that your mom and I did a lot of things together-- solos, musical programs and roadshows. She could play a song in any key, which was a great help for everyone and miracle to me! Tom and I were always thrilled when she brought us some of her bread or other delights! Only she could bake them!! Most of all, we'll miss her happy and upbeat attitude. She was willing to help in anyway she could and she did! We felt honored when she and your dad made it a point to visit with us the day before we left on our mission. Their testimonies and devotion rang out loud and clear! Your parents are beautiful examples of Christ-like living!
We hope and pray that the Spirit will comfort you in your time of sorrow. it's always hard to lose your mom! With love and sympathy, Laurel and Tom Rohlfing
Pauline is a very special person to us, and her amazing family is also. I worked closely with Pauline for several years while directing the ward choir. She was always amazing with great ideas and so helpful. I also was in the Tabernacle Choir while Udell was the manager and had that in common. Pauline taught piano to some of our children which was wonderful and instilled a love of music in them with the exception of one of them who after a year still "did not know where middle c was". I also had the terrific privilege of being the pediatrician to a lot of her grandchildren. Jean loved working with her in the Young Women and the choir. Pauline was always the first one to sign up for anything to help. We will miss her greatly.
Frank
Dear Stanford, Pamela, Camille and Dallin,
We first met you and your parents in the fall of 1975 when your father joined President Oakley Evans in the administration of the Tabernacle Choir. Later Pauline sang in the Choir with her sister Claire. As befits the rest of her life, Pauline was a dutiful, supportive, and valued member of the Choir. We also enjoyed cherished sociality with your parents that included the Choir's music and administrative staffs. It continued into our retirements as the Emeritabs The joys of our work together and the remembrance of our shared experience continues, even as our numbers are shrinking into the hope of our continued association, after we leave mortality. God bless you all.
We, Jerry and JoAnn, are in living in senior housing quarantine, so we are not be able to share in the celebration of Pauline's beautifully productive life. May God bless you as you take pride in the noble heritage provided by your parents.
I have so many wonderful memories of knowing Pauline over the forty years spent in this ward that I don't know where to begin. I admired her dependability, she always attended and supported all ward activities, often bringing food. Speaking of food I treasure several of her recipes and they are family favorites. I loved her simplicity, she was able to focus on things that mattered and not allow her house or her life to be cluttered with things that have no worth. She could be depended on to speak up and bear her testimony or make a comment when the quiet began to become uncomfortable. Her comments were always based on a sure foundation of solid doctrine and her deep testimony of Jesus Christ. I loved to hear her reminisce about Manti. My ancestors settled there as well, it was a haven for the Scandinavian Saints. I appreciate you, Camille, and hours, days, and years you spent with our family. You were cheerful, as was your mother, patient and kind to our little girls. You were an example to them, a big sister they always looked up to. Your Mom encouraged Karin to try mashed potatoes, which she steadfastly refused to do for me. They loved to go home with you on occasion, and she always greeted them in church by name. Your family was such a big part of our Ward Family, and I rejoice to know she and Udell are back together and well and happy in the Lord's work. I can imagine her enthusiasm at the new work they are called to do and her delight at the beautiful music she is finding in heaven. Everything is unfolding to her eyes, and is beautiful and so satisfying to reunite with her parents and family who went before she did. She is meeting those Manti pioneers she loved to learn about. I suppose she is deep in conversation with them, asking questions and listening closely to their answers. Knowing Pauline, they are probably laughing together as well. What a happy prospect for her, but we will miss her. She endured to the end so well and was cheerful about it. Love you all, Pam and Camille especially, my dear friends. I still have your "LOVE" embroidery where I see it every day and think of you Pam.