Pauline Luella Mahlum
February 15, 1932 - October 19, 2007
Obituary
Pauline Luella Mahlum went home to be with Jesus on October 19th, 2007 after a long year of medical complications. Her last days were spent surrounded by her loving family. She was survived by her faithful husband Dale Mahlum. She was a wonderful mother to her surviving children Stacy and husband David Keen, Lynn Mahlum, Cindy and husband Buzz Yohann, Paul Mahlum and wife Toni, John Mahlum and wife Christie, David Mahlum and wife Jennifer, and Shelly Mahlum. She was also survived by her grandchildren Jessica and husband Todd Yost, Scott Keen, Shawna Keen, Christy and husband Chris Campfield, Adam Mahlum, Alicia Yohann, Alia Mahlum, Nicholas Mahlum, Jonathan Mahlum, Grace Mahlum, Bethany Mahlum and two great-grandchildren, Hailey Yost and Case Campfield. If that weren’t enough, Pauline opened her heart to Amanda Lamb as one of her own.
On February 15th 1932, Pauline was born. She met Dale Mahlum and he swept her off her feet. Dale proposed by giving her a small ball and chain, and she accepted. They were married on August 1, 1953 and had just over 54 years together. They led a life full of love and laughter. She knew that she had chosen her mate well, as Dale faithfully sat by her side until the Lord took her home.
Dale and Pauline opened their own family business, Westfair Rexall in 1966. The business morphed into Westfair Home Décor & Gifts until they finally closed their doors in 2005. Through their dedication to running a godly business, Pauline impacted the lives of many in the Federal Way community. The employees of Westfair became members of her extended family.
Family was of utmost importance to Pauline. She gathered her family together almost monthly for dinners to celebrate anything from holidays to birthdays, and everything in between. To Pauline, birthdays were just an excuse to throw a party and see to it that her family stayed close. One of her favorite traditions was taking each grandchild out to dinner and shopping at a local toy store. We will miss the 2-dollar bills in our Valentine’s Day cards, chocolate-peanut butter eggs for Easter, and the joy seen on her face as all of us opened gifts together on Christmas Eve. She worked so hard to make sure everyone had their favorites on each holiday; a polish sausage on Thanksgiving for whomever didn’t like turkey, lefse and krumkake Norwegian treats, and two different styles of spaghetti sauce for the picky eaters in the bunch. With a family this size, you’re bound to have a few!
We often joked that she continued to “rule the world” from her hospital bed. It was amazing the things she accomplished with her cell phone and instructions to whomever happened to be visiting. Even as everyday life became increasingly difficult in the past year, she never let it get in the way of all the special events going on in the lives of the ones she loved.
Most importantly, Pauline had a deep love for our Lord, Jesus Christ. She never took for granted the many blessing He provided for her. As it became increasingly difficult for her to see, her favorite scriptures she had hidden in her heart were a comfort to her. She prayed daily that her children and grandchildren would serve the Lord. Throughout the years she was involved in numerous bible studies and faithfully attended church. Outreach became her passion, as she supported Young Life’s ministry in Federal Way.
Pauline will be missed as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and dear friend. We rejoice in knowing that she is now living in the presence of our Lord and is healthy once again. She touched the lives of many, and now her legacy lives on through her family that she loved so dearly.
A public memorial and celebration of Pauline’s life will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 26th, at Grace Lutheran Church, at 22975 24th Ave S in Des Moines, WA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Federal Way Young Life WA285, PO Box 4766, Federal Way, WA 98063.
I went to Bible study with Pauline and Stacy years ago. I loved Paulines sense of humor, deep faith and love for her family and friends. I appreciated her very much and will miss knowing she is here. I’m sure heaven is very fun and she is watching all her loved ones. Only now she sees them all and smiles. Suzanne Martinson
Dear Lynn and family,
I’m so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. May your treasured memories give you peace through this difficult time. Lynn, I wish I were still part of the Nordstrom family to add daily support. I’ll be down soon to visit.
Love, Val
We were saddened to hear about your loss. Pauline was a very special person with a warm,welcoming smile and always a joy to meet. She was Westfair. You all have a lifetime of wonderful memories of her. Our sincere sympathy in the loss of one so dear.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Although we know Pauline is with the Lord it is still difficult to let her go. I pray that God will hold each of you in the palm of His hand and carry you through this hard time as you grieve your loss.
Yes, Pauline was a very special woman. She had a big, loving family to match her big, loving heart. I will cherish my many fond memories of her and continue to enjoy her offspring as often as I can, especially her newest great grandson, Case. I think he makes me officially related to this wonderful family : We will miss you, Pauline, yet glad to know you are in the loving arms of your Lord.
Thank you for sharing your lives with us. We are blessed. Love you guys….Sue and Roger
Pauline was such an inspiration to me when I attended the women’s wednesday Bible Study. Such a servant of Christ. I know she is sitting with Christ right now having a very long talk about her experieces here on earth. It brings me comfort to know that I will once again see this incredible lady in heaven one day. I know she will be missed by her family and my sympathy to all of you, but at least you know she is no longer suffering.
FWHS, class of 1972, at your home a number of times to visit Stacy. And Pauline made me dinner, twice, I think. The spagetti was really good, even to an authentic Italian like me. We used to volunteer at a Christian Bookstore in the U-District, before we all had to grow up. My mother still lives in Fed. Way too, 52 years in the same house. You must miss Pauline immensely, already. My condolances.
Few, if anyone at FWHS, ever knew my real first name Diodatto- after a turn of the century, great uncle in Black Diamond. Everyone called me Dale. Senior Class President, FWHS 1972 Dale S. Meyer
I marvel at God’s goodness to us in allowing ones to cross our path to show us more of Him. Pauline was one of His “path Gems” I viewed when she faithfully worked the WestFair Drug store with Dale, her husband; when she brought family members to St. Luke’s Preschool; when she lovingly served at the Marine View Bible Study always with a contented smile.
Thank you, Lord God, for sharing ‘your Gem’ with us!
Loving thoughts and prayers for Family strength, Mrs. Cederberg
To the Malhum family – You are lucky to have such a rich legacy left by a loving mother. She included those of us who are shirt-tail relatives in to the fold of her embrace and extended her love to all around her. She was a strong woman, greatly cherished, well respected and will be highly missed. You all are in our prayers. Love, Steve & Lorie Keen
you will be greatly missed, gramma. i’m sad you’ll never get to see me get married or meet my children but i know you’ll be there anyway. i loved how you always asked about rocco. i love you!
Pauline will be remembered by us and many others as a champion for her family and for Federal Way Young Life. She will be missed! Our thoughts and prayers are with you, her family, as you mourn her departure yet celebrate her arrival in Heaven.
I can only imagine the party going on in Heaven right now. She was a wonderful and wise woman with the heart of a true Christian. Never wavered, always held the faith. I remember a few years ago she sponsored me on a Mission Trip to The Dream Center in California and I swear that Pauline’s presence was with me somehow 24/7. She will be greatly missed. To the family, my heart goes out to each and every one of you. Keep your faith and know she is pain free forever.
Shelly and Family,
My heart and prayers go out to you at this difficult time. I hope you feel God’s presence and take comfort and pride in the life Mrs. Mahlum lived. With Sympathy and Prayers, Diane Ellis