Thomas R. Paulsen
August 31, 1943 — December 1, 2009
Thomas Robert Paulsen, son of Robert and Evelyn (McIntosh) Paulsen, was born on August 31, 1943, in rural Harlan, Iowa. He attended Jackson No. 3 country school and graduated from Harlan High School with the class of 1962. While in high school, Tom participated in football, track, and wrestling, and was the first Harlan student to place in the State Wrestling Tournaments. After graduating, Tom continued his education at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, where he graduated in 1968, with a degree in education. While at NWMSU, Tom also lettered in wrestling and was a member of the undefeated Division II wrestling team in 1966-1967. This 1966-1967 team was later inducted into the NWMSU Hall of Fame on October 1, 2004. He also furthered his education by working on his graduate degree at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
On March 21, 1965, Tom was united in marriage to Ruth Ann Severson. One daughter, Lisa Ann, was born to this union. After their wedding, Tom and Ruth Ann made their home in Maryville while they completed their degrees. They later moved to Red Oak where Tom taught Industrial Arts and wrestling before moving to Huxley where he continued to teach and coach.
In 1974, Tom and Ruth Ann moved back to the Harlan area when Tom began helping his father farm. He also taught and coached at the Harlan Community High School. Tom thoroughly enjoyed teaching and helping his students, but the lure of becoming a full-time farmer led him to retire from teaching in 1983.
Tom was a member of the Elks Club in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and was named Elk of the Year in 2008. He also made numerous trips to Canada and California to go fishing with his family. Tom loved having his grandchildren with him and introducing them to fun on the farm.
Throughout the years, Tom and Ruth have traveled together, visiting such places as Hawaii, Australia and the Caribbean, where Tom participated in many adventurous activities.
Tom lived his life to the fullest and will be greatly missed by all who loved him. He was a loving and devoted husband, dad and papa. Tom was a friend to all and never met a stranger. He died on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, as a result of a truck accident, having attained the age of sixty-six years, three months, and one day. He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann, of Harlan, Iowa; their daughter Lisa Ann (Gordon) Sosso of Omaha, Nebraska; three grandchildren: Jessica, Erin, and Tommy; and his sisters: Virginia (Raymond) Hughes of Beverly Hills, Florida and Barbara (Harry) Budd of Ames, Iowa; nieces; nephews; other family members and many friends.
Funeral Services were held on Saturday, December 5, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church in Harlan, Iowa, with Rev. Dr. David G. Swinton officiating the 2:00 PM service. Acting as honorary casket bearers were: Curt Bladt, Greg Bladt, Jeff Bladt, Todd Mitchell, Todd Bladt, Everett Ellithorpe, Ben Bieker, Scott Nelson, Charles Grabill, and Bill "Doc" Barkman. Serving as casket bearers were: Galen Grabill, Mike Christensen, Bob Paulsen, Jim Hoffmann, Jay Frederick, Ray Hensley, Bob Andersen, Steve Wegner.
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On March 21, 1965, Tom was united in marriage to Ruth Ann Severson. One daughter, Lisa Ann, was born to this union. After their wedding, Tom and Ruth Ann made their home in Maryville while they completed their degrees. They later moved to Red Oak where Tom taught Industrial Arts and wrestling before moving to Huxley where he continued to teach and coach.
In 1974, Tom and Ruth Ann moved back to the Harlan area when Tom began helping his father farm. He also taught and coached at the Harlan Community High School. Tom thoroughly enjoyed teaching and helping his students, but the lure of becoming a full-time farmer led him to retire from teaching in 1983.
Tom was a member of the Elks Club in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and was named Elk of the Year in 2008. He also made numerous trips to Canada and California to go fishing with his family. Tom loved having his grandchildren with him and introducing them to fun on the farm.
Throughout the years, Tom and Ruth have traveled together, visiting such places as Hawaii, Australia and the Caribbean, where Tom participated in many adventurous activities.
Tom lived his life to the fullest and will be greatly missed by all who loved him. He was a loving and devoted husband, dad and papa. Tom was a friend to all and never met a stranger. He died on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, as a result of a truck accident, having attained the age of sixty-six years, three months, and one day. He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann, of Harlan, Iowa; their daughter Lisa Ann (Gordon) Sosso of Omaha, Nebraska; three grandchildren: Jessica, Erin, and Tommy; and his sisters: Virginia (Raymond) Hughes of Beverly Hills, Florida and Barbara (Harry) Budd of Ames, Iowa; nieces; nephews; other family members and many friends.
Funeral Services were held on Saturday, December 5, 2009, at the First United Methodist Church in Harlan, Iowa, with Rev. Dr. David G. Swinton officiating the 2:00 PM service. Acting as honorary casket bearers were: Curt Bladt, Greg Bladt, Jeff Bladt, Todd Mitchell, Todd Bladt, Everett Ellithorpe, Ben Bieker, Scott Nelson, Charles Grabill, and Bill "Doc" Barkman. Serving as casket bearers were: Galen Grabill, Mike Christensen, Bob Paulsen, Jim Hoffmann, Jay Frederick, Ray Hensley, Bob Andersen, Steve Wegner.
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