Paula Josephine Reynolds (aka Paula Anderson and Paula Carmean) 61, of Havre passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday February 24, 2016 in Havre. A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday March 3, 2016 at First Lutheran Church in Havre with Pastor Tanner Howard officiating. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Highland Cemetery. Paula's family has requested that memorials be made to the Victoria Reynolds College Fund, in care of Independence Bank in Havre. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Paula's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.
Paula was born on June 18, 1954 in Havre, Montana to Archie and Helen Anderson. Paula grew up with two siblings on the north side of Havre in a ranch style home her parents built during a 5 yr. period of her childhood, as they had money and time. She developed an early appreciation and dedication to hard work and perseverance that proved to last a lifetime. She attended school in Havre and graduated from Havre High in 1972. She attended Northern Montana College, graduating with a degree in cosmetology. She worked at PJ's for several years for Jerry and Penney Bergren. While bartending at the 300 Club, she met Steve Carmean in 1978. They were married on October 10, 1980. Together they welcomed a daughter, Tylyn Arleen Carmean on December 12, 1982. They first lived in Havre and later moved to Michigan and North Dakota. While in Michigan, Paula worked as a beautician.
They later moved back to her hometown and Paula went to work at the Havre Daily News in the advertisement department. Steve and Paula eventually divorced. She continued to live in Havre and work at the paper in advertising, a department she would later manage, and a profession that would become her livelihood.
In 1995, she met Ron Reynolds and they married. They welcomed Victoria Helen Reynolds on February 17, 1997. Paula was overjoyed by the blessing of a second daughter. Paula and Ron later divorced. After working at the Havre Daily News for more than 20 years, Paula went to work in advertising at the Blaine County Journal in Chinook for Keith and Keri Hanson. She and Keith had worked together for many years previously at the Havre Daily. She worked for the Journal for over 10 years and was still employed there at the time of her death.
Paula loved the variation and flexibility of her job. She always said she didn't think she could do a "regular job." Always on the go with her to-do list in hand, she had a knack for organization and balance, not just in her work, but in her life. In recent years, she often traveled to Big Sandy, Fort Benton, and throughout the highline. She loved to "make a day of it." She loved to make a good road trip even better, by adding some local history, local shopping, and time with family. She loved people. It has been a family joke that she has friends for 100 miles in every direction.
Paula was straight forward and no nonsense. She had a zest for life that was infectious. Constantly coming up with new ideas, whether it was a trip she wanted to take, a new recipe to try, a project for her yard or yours, how to decorate a room, or how to upcycle one of her latest treasures, her enthusiasm for life was inspiring and unshakable. In the last few years, Paula became very involved and loved serving any way she could at her church, First Lutheran. She enjoyed weekends of making lefse, and rarely turned down the opportunity. When it came to home decorating she had an eclectic taste and style all her own. The year she decided to paint her porch plum and her fence turquoise, we doubted her unique choices. But like usual she went on to prove her vision and it looked great!
One of her favorite hobbies was to recycle. And to gently and sometimes not-so-gently persuade others to reduce their carbon footprint as well. She was thrilled to check each and every item to find out if she could recycle it. A room in her basement became devoted to sorting and storing the items until the monthly recycling day.
Paula loved spending time with her family. She cooked Sunday dinners and was excited to call or text the menu she was planning for. She was always game for yard sales, the farmers market, music in the park, a good trade fair, or a Law & Order marathon. When the fair came to town, that was her "thing." Many evenings were spent there taking in all of the festivities. She said it was a tradition that her mother started with her and she dutifully passed it on to us. There was a special place in her heart for animals and they knew it. She knew owning a pet was for the duration of their lifetime and she was devoted to providing the best life possible. She always had a hundred things to do at home but typically, she could be found helping someone else. She had a servant's heart to the core and shared her joy by blessing others.
Last year, Paula was over the moon when her granddaughter Halle Josephine Turner was born. "Halle Jo" and "Grandma Jo" spent several mornings a week together. Truly the apple of her eye, she loved to teach her things; to wave "bye-bye," to be "SOO Big," try new foods, or climb the stairs. In one short year they had cemented a bond built on a lot of love, laughter, and a little bit of mischief.
The time before Paula's passing was filled with joy and the things she loved most, cooking, pets, recycling, some home projects, and time spent with her family.
Her parents Archie and Helen Anderson, an infant brother Lester Anderson, and a half-brother Raymond preceded her in death.
She is survived by her two daughters Tylyn Carmean Turner (Ryan Turner) and Victoria Reynolds, both of Havre; two granddaughters, Halle Turner of Havre, and Zoey Turner of Belgrade MT; one brother Allen Anderson of Burbank, CA; two nieces, Kelly The Boy of Havre, and Lita Moog of Joplin, MT; and beloved great nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.
