Paulette Sue Calderon

Paulette Sue Calderon, age 74, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at First Lutheran Church of Albert Lea with visitation to be held for one hour prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be held at Graceland Cemetery following the service.

Paulette was born on May 23, 1951, in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Donald and Linda (Runge) Wangsness. She grew up in Albert Lea but often spent time at her Uncle Darrel’s farm in Alden riding horses. She was baptized on July 15, 1951 and was confirmed on May 22, 1966 at Salem Lutheran Church in Albert Lea.

Paulette graduated from ALHS in 1969 and earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Corrections from Mankato State University in 1981. Her early career began at the New Horizons/Hayward Group home where she worked while attending college. After completing an internship and graduating from college, her work transitioned into a 20-year career as a probation officer for Freeborn County Court Services where she made many meaningful connections with her clients and coworkers. She also helped care for foster children in her home. Throughout the years, Paulette worked with many people in the local community and hopefully made a positive impact. Paulette loved her children, Bryan and Melissa, whom she shared with her ex-husband Mario Calderon. She went above and beyond when celebrating their accomplishments and birthdays, such as when she and Mark created a Rock & Roll bingo game for Melissa’s birthday party. Melissa and Bryan’s friends found her to be welcoming and caring for them as well. Paulette and Mark Bartleson started dating in 1986 and he remained with her for nearly 40 years.

Paulette was a woman of many interests. She enjoyed shopping, fashion, makeup, holiday entertaining and spending time socializing with her friends. She loved hosting annual summer girlfriend parties for classmates and old friends, including her best friend Gail, who would return home from Oregon. She especially enjoyed decorating for Christmas, sometimes displaying as many as three Christmas trees in her home. She loved to cook and often used recipes passed on from family members that she cherished. She even shared some of her fried rice recipes from when she worked at the Canton Café. She loved home decorating and design with a taste that veered toward antiques and the Victorian Era. She enjoyed watching the Bachelor and Bachelorette, arranging flowers, flower gardening, and genealogy. She maintained connections with many friends and family members which were very important to her and would take trips north to Glenwood, Minnesota to visit her extended family.

Paulette is survived by her significant other Mark Bartleson; children Bryan (Sheila) Calderon, Melissa Calderon, Teresa (Jason) Howland, Michelle (Jeremy) Supalla, Tim (Melissa) Bartleson; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and cousins.

Paulette is preceded in death by her parents Donald and Linda Wangsness.

The service will be live-streamed, and can be watched below, or via the First Lutheran YouTube page at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZILMlrKHJDM?si=BeNZb_W9CoiVSdkx