Else M. Poulsen

Else M. Poulsen, 101, passed away Saturday August 11, 2007 at Aldersly Garden Retirement Community in San Rafael, CA. Else was born on a small farm in Denmark. In 1926 at the age of 20 she became enamored with the idea of immigrating to America. Fortunately, she had an uncle who gladly sponsored her immigration and helped her locate in Oakland, CA. She rapidly became acclimated to American ways, including learning English. About 1930 she met and married a fellow Dane, Kristian Thomsen, who had also immigrated to California in 1926. They became Naturalized citizens during this period. In 1933 the Thomsen's had their first child, a daughter Elsa Marie and in 1935 a son Paul S. Thomsen was born. In 1940, Kristian Thomsen died. Else supported herself, and her children by attending business classes and working for Bank of America. In 1946 she married another Dane, Iver Poulsen and the family moved to Fremont, CA. Iver Poulsen died in 1984 and two years later Else became a resident of Aldersly Garden Retirement Community. Over her twenty plus years of residency she served serveral terms as President of the Resident's Council and has been a long standing member of the Aldersly Singers. She has been recongnized for love of and participation in musical events, playing her violin often and well. She will be remembered with great fondness by her children, Elsa M. Grayson and her husband James of New Washington, IN and her son Paul S. Thomsen and his wife Joan of Castro Valley, CA. She will also be missed by her six grandchildren: Chris Grayson and his wife Karen, Jeffrey Grayson and his wife Vickie, Paul Grayson and his wife Jo Lynn all of Charlestown, IN, Perri Martin and her husband Randall of Thousand Oaks, CA, Stacy Murphy of Alamo, CA, and Neil Thomsen and his wife Juniece of Pine Grove, CA. Else will leave an admirable heritage for her ten great grandchildren; Michael and his wife Nicole, Michelle, Stephen, Nicholas, Gabreil, Kaleigh, and Kendra Grayson all of Charlestown, IN; Shane Murphy, Caden and Quinn Martin, and Brina Thomsen all of CA. She took what life gave her and made the most of it, with nobility of purpose, a love of music, good humor, and a deep love of her fellow man. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. There will be a service of celebration for family and friends on Sunday August 19, 2007 at 6 p.m. at the Grayson Funeral Home in New Washington. Visiting hours will begin at 4 p.m. August 19, 2007 at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may go to Aldersly Retirement Community at 326 Mission Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901.