Christine Paulsen, 74

On the morning of Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, Christine Lee Paulsen (née Cogswell) of Sandpoint, Idaho, at the age of 74, passed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Born to Dar and Joann Cogswell in Moscow, Idaho, she grew up in Sandpoint, where she was joined by her brother, Kevin, and sister Sarah. 

Christi was a very musically talented person. She excelled as a flutist and also enjoyed playing the piano, organ, and singing. She blessed people with her music throughout her life, most often for her church congregations at St. Agnes Episcopal Church in her youth and First Lutheran Church in later years. 

Christi graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1970 as salutatorian. She majored in music at the University of Idaho and performed many wonderful recitals. For a few years afterward she taught music to schoolchildren in Pilot Rock, Ore. 

Returning to Sandpoint, she married Jim Paulsen in 1983. They spent their lives on their property near Garfield Bay, where they lavished their love on many golden retrievers over the years. Then they were blessed by their long-awaited son, Gunnar, who was born in 1989. 

Christi enjoyed working as a transcriptionist at a women’s clinic, volunteering for the Bonner County elections, being part of a group of friends from church called Mary’s Circle and traveling. During her life, her favorite places to go were Vancouver Island, the Oregon Coast, camping at Priest Lake, and many other places. She enjoyed many visits to visit Gunnar in Salida, Colo., and later, Boulder, where he lives now. Christi’s greatest joy the last two years was going to Colorado to love and bond with her grandson, Dean. 

After Jim died in 2014, Christi was able to continue living out at her property and then in town, thanks to her incredible community of friends. After her passing, it was such a blessing to hear how many considered her a best friend and cherished her for her generous spirit. She loved and was so loved in return. 

Christi is survived by her son, Gunnar (Julia) Paulsen, and grandson, Dean, of Boulder, Colo.; mother Joann Cogswell of Sandpoint; brother Kevin (Kaye) Cogswell of Othello, Wash.; and sister Sarah Cogswell, and many others as the Cogswell/Paulsen families continue to grow. 

Those who preceded Christi in death are her father, Dar Cogswell, and husband James Paulsen. 

A private ceremony was held with Christi laid to rest by her husband, Jim, at the Gamlin Lake Cemetery. 

There will be a public memorial for Christi’s broader community of friends and loved one to celebrate her life announced soon.

In lieu of flowers, please consider remembering Christi with a gift to the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint online at sandpointconservatory.org or mailing to 110 Main St., Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Christi’s online memorial at lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.