Paula Kay Larsen

On June 23, 2024, Paula Kay Larsen passed away at Hospice of Northwest Ohio surrounded by her family.

Paula was born on March 14, 1954 in Toledo, Ohio to her mother, Joanne Cline (Hoff). From a young age, Paula's love for performing was obvious, as she often performed shows for her very first audience; her family.

Paula's love for the theatre would carry on throughout her life, from starring in performances at Cedar Point, singing in multiple bands, auditions for a variety of Broadway shows, and working as a performer for the Westgate Dinner Theatre.

In 1983, Paula enlisted in the United States Army as a morse code interpreter, where she also performed in the Army Soldier Show. Paula served active duty until 1986, and would serve another three years on inactive duty.

After leaving the army, Paula's many adventures would take her to Texas where her life would change forever when she would find herself waltzing with her future husband, John Larsen, who quoted that " he was blinded by her red hair and green eyes". They married in September 1992 and from their union, Paula would give birth to their beautiful daughter, Amanda.

Paula would soon discover her love of cheese and would earn the title of cheesemonger while working at the Central Market in Fort Worth, Texas. After the passing of her parents, Paula's journey would bring her home to Toledo, Ohio. While in Toledo, Paula worked at the Original Pancake House where she would serenade patrons with multilingual renditions of "Happy Birthday". This would earn her the beloved title of "Birthday Lady."

After leaving the Original, she would find her way to the Anderson's Market as a cheesemonger where she helped to bring back the Toledo's Tidkie's Christmas Cheese Wheel and where she earned several titles, including her official title of "Certified Cheese Professional" with the American Cheese Society and her unofficial title of "Goddess of Cheese". Transitioning from the Anderson's, Paula found a home with the team at Busch's Fresh Food Market as their head of specialty cheese departments. If you were to ask anyone that knew her at this time in her life, the only pictures in her phone were of her granddaughter and the cheese cases and trays she made for Busch's. She remained a part of the Busch's family until her passing. It was also at this time that she continued her education from Augsberg University when she was younger and received her B.A. in Business from Lourdes College.

Paula lived her life with passion, enthusiasm and compassion. The only things stronger than her love of cheese and theatre was her faith in God and the deep, protective love she felt for her family.

Paula is preceeded in death by her parents; Ralph and Joanne Cline.

She is survived by her husband; John Larsen, daughter; Amanda Corbin (Larsen), son-in-law; Jonathan Corbin, granddaughter; Eleanor Corbin, sister; Barbara Tartaglia-Poure (Jim) , brothers; Robert Cline (Brenda) of Traverse City, Michigan, Daniel Cline of Houston Texas and Tim Cline (Joanne) of Hudson, Florida, and many cherished nieces and nephews she held close.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Walker Funeral Homes on Sylvania Ave. from 1pm to 3pm with the service immediately following. A celebration of life party to honor the amazing light that Paula was will be held at TolHouse Social Club on 1447 N. Summit St. in Toledo from 4:30/5 pm to 7pm after the services.