Funeral Mass will be held for Paulette Connolly on Friday, January 5, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena, with Fr. J.C. Duncan and Fr. Albert Holmes officiating. Paulette will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery, Wadena.

Paulette Connolly was born June 25, 1957, to George and Annabelle (Biermaier) Twardowski in Browerville, Minn., which remained her home growing up as she was Baptized and Confirmed at the Christ in King Catholic Church in Browerville. Paulette graduated from Browerville High School, Alexandria Technical College and Minnesota State Community and Technical College.

Paulette married William Connolly in Verndale, on August 26, 1995. To their marriage Paulette brought three children and William’s two.

Paulette had a variety of jobs during her lifetime. She held positions at Northwestern Bank in Minneapolis, Minn. She was a co-owner of a business of the Henning Bowling Alley which was a lot of fun and a lot of work. She was a department manager at Walmart in Fergus Falls and did several special projects for Walmart in Minnesota and North Dakota including opening stores. Paulette was a go-getter with a strong work ethic, and she often held more than one job at a time.

Paulette had many interests. She enjoyed gardening, picking berries and watching wildlife. She loved spending time with friends, Bill and SuzAnn Goeden, Georgianne Kruize and traveling.  Still, her family was her most cherished treasure. She loved spending time at her brother’s cabin and boating. She couldn’t get enough of her siblings, parents, children and especially her grandchildren. She could not sit still as Grandma was always on the go.

When she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, Paulette made several trips to the Mayo Clinic and hospitals for help and surgery. She went to Tri-County Health in Wadena for her general care and therapy. Although her body gave out, her mind continued to be strong. Over time, she became disabled and could no longer work. Paulette has recently made her home at St. Williams Living Center in Parkers Prairie.

Paulette is preceded in death by her parents, Annabelle and George Twardowski; brother, Roger Twardowski and sister, Jean Larson.

Paulette is survived by her husband William; her children: Annabelle (Andy Bowman) Lee of Battle Lake; Jason (Kelli) Connolly of Kensal, N.D.; Joseph Boehland of Wadena; Jacob Boehland of Battle Lake; Sean (Kimberly) Connolly; grandchildren: Brianna, Samantha, Caleb, Vivian and Oliver; great-grandchild: Aubree; siblings Ralph (Ellie) Twardowski of Browerville, Minn., Marge Peterson of Minneapolis, Minn., Donna (Jack) Berry of Cushing, Minn., and George (Lisa) Twardowski of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave memorials and condolences on Paulette’s Tribute Wall.

Arrangements provided by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of Wadena.