Robert M. Paulsen
July 22, 1918 — December 7, 2011
Robert Marion Paulsen, the son of Henry and Lena (Berge) Paulsen was born on July 22, 1918 on a farm in Verndale, Minnesota. He graduated from Avoca Public School with the Class of 1936.
Bob was united in marriage to Dorothea Oehlertz on January 1, 1940 in Ida Grove, Iowa. They farmed on the Paulsen Family Farm near Avoca for one year until moving into town. Bob leased the Standard Oil Station for one year until his lease was up. He then went to work for Thomsen Oil Company for three months until being drafted into the United States Army on December 22, 1942.
When Bob was sent overseas, he took part in the D-Day operation of Normandy in which he was later awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He remained in the Army until his honorable discharge in December 1945.
After the war, Bob and Dorothea had four children: twins, Marlus and Marion Kay, Cheryl, and Doug. Bob worked for Fullerton Lumber Company for a short time until he became employed by the United States Postal Department as a postal clerk for the next 25 ½ years.
Bob was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, he was a member of the Avoca Community Club, V.F.W., past Adjutant and past commander of the American Legion Post 227. Bob and Dorothea built and then operated the Parkway Drive In and the trailer court for 20 years, before retiring completely.
Bob was very thankful for the Avoca Community and he always considered it his home. He was a modern dancer and eventually a Polka dancer after a push from Dorothea, he also enjoyed ballroom dancing, golfing and traveling.
In March of 2008, Bob and Dorothea moved to Peace Haven Retirement Home in Walnut. In August 2010, the couple moved to Grand Haven Retirement Community in Eldridge, Iowa and this is where Bob died on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 having attained the age of ninety-three years, four months, and fifteen days. He was preceded in death by infant daughter Marion Kay, his parents, and his siblings: Alfred, Mary, Tillie, William, Leroy, Esther, and Henry "Sonny".
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Dorothea Paulsen of Eldridge, Iowa; his children: Marlus and her husband James Reser of Milford, Iowa, Cheryl Langer of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Doug Paulsen and his wife Vickie of Eldridge, Iowa; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; other relatives, and many friends.
Rev. Dennis Reich officiated the 10:30 am funeral service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa on Saturday, December 10, 2011. Military Rites were held at the Graceland Cemetery in Avoca by the Fred Funston American Legion Post Number 227. Serving as casket bearers were his grandchildren: James Reser, Jason Reser, Ryan Paulsen, Danielle Roe, Misty Tornblom, Brandt Langer and Kelsey Dahir
PDF Printable Version
Bob was united in marriage to Dorothea Oehlertz on January 1, 1940 in Ida Grove, Iowa. They farmed on the Paulsen Family Farm near Avoca for one year until moving into town. Bob leased the Standard Oil Station for one year until his lease was up. He then went to work for Thomsen Oil Company for three months until being drafted into the United States Army on December 22, 1942.
When Bob was sent overseas, he took part in the D-Day operation of Normandy in which he was later awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He remained in the Army until his honorable discharge in December 1945.
After the war, Bob and Dorothea had four children: twins, Marlus and Marion Kay, Cheryl, and Doug. Bob worked for Fullerton Lumber Company for a short time until he became employed by the United States Postal Department as a postal clerk for the next 25 ½ years.
Bob was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, he was a member of the Avoca Community Club, V.F.W., past Adjutant and past commander of the American Legion Post 227. Bob and Dorothea built and then operated the Parkway Drive In and the trailer court for 20 years, before retiring completely.
Bob was very thankful for the Avoca Community and he always considered it his home. He was a modern dancer and eventually a Polka dancer after a push from Dorothea, he also enjoyed ballroom dancing, golfing and traveling.
In March of 2008, Bob and Dorothea moved to Peace Haven Retirement Home in Walnut. In August 2010, the couple moved to Grand Haven Retirement Community in Eldridge, Iowa and this is where Bob died on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 having attained the age of ninety-three years, four months, and fifteen days. He was preceded in death by infant daughter Marion Kay, his parents, and his siblings: Alfred, Mary, Tillie, William, Leroy, Esther, and Henry "Sonny".
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Dorothea Paulsen of Eldridge, Iowa; his children: Marlus and her husband James Reser of Milford, Iowa, Cheryl Langer of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Doug Paulsen and his wife Vickie of Eldridge, Iowa; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; other relatives, and many friends.
Rev. Dennis Reich officiated the 10:30 am funeral service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, Iowa on Saturday, December 10, 2011. Military Rites were held at the Graceland Cemetery in Avoca by the Fred Funston American Legion Post Number 227. Serving as casket bearers were his grandchildren: James Reser, Jason Reser, Ryan Paulsen, Danielle Roe, Misty Tornblom, Brandt Langer and Kelsey Dahir
PDF Printable Version
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert M. Paulsen, please visit our flower store.