Kristan Paulsen, 81, of Waxahachie, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2026. She was born on July 30, 1945, in Salina, Utah, the daughter of Lloyd Paulsen and Neva Nuttall.

Kristan was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and her faith and the church played a major role throughout her life. She earned a master’s degree in mathematics from Southern Utah University in the 1980s and taught college calculus for several years. She later moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where she worked as a paralegal, and continued her career as a paralegal after moving to Waxahachie, Texas.

Kristan had a creative and artistic spirit and found great joy in crafts, crocheting, and painting. She crocheted many stuffed animals over the years, several of which she generously donated to charity before her passing. She also enjoyed painting earlier in her life, and one of her paintings remains a cherished example of her artistic talent. Kristan loved art and was known by those who knew her as a very honest, caring, and generous person.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Bledsoe, on November 12, 2015; her daughter, Carline Paulsen; and her sibling, Arlo.

Kristan is survived by her sons, Michael Paul Bledsoe, Mark David Goodson, Jesse Paulsen, and Jonathan Dee Paulsen; her daughter, Dalene Vargas; her siblings, Thrim, Freyja, Charlene, Nicolette (Nici), Ninon, and Lyndon; her grandchildren, Cody, Aleena, Jose, Logan, Damien, Angelica, Isaac, MaryAnn, and Lexi; and her great-grandchild, Arious.

Kristan will be remembered for her strong faith, creative talents, generosity, honesty, and caring heart. Her love for her family, her faith, and the simple joy she found in creating and giving to others will remain a lasting part of her legacy.