Kenneth Eugene Paulsen was born March 19, 1934, in Cordova, to Carl Peter and Velma Minnie (Noler) Paulsen and passed away March 3, 2024, in Seward, Nebraska, at the age of 89 years, 11 months and 13 days.
Kenny grew up in the Cordova and Beaver Crossing areas, where he attended Beaver Crossing Schools and graduated with the Class of 1952. He enlisted into the U.S. Army on May 26, 1954, and was honorably discharged on May 2, 1956. He then went on to attend Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, where he received a Biology degree. On Aug. 5, 1956, Ken was united in marriage to Joyce Hock in Lincoln, and to this union, two daughters were born. Kenny attended Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, graduating with honors in 1961. He was a partner at Seward Vision Clinic from 1961 until 1994.
Ken was a longtime member of the Seward United Methodist Church, Seward VFW, Izaak Walton League, and was a former city councilman and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Seward.
Ken was an avid hunter, fisherman, golfer and world traveler. He enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels and conversing with the people he served. Always being very curious and interested in history, he attended classes at Concordia University in his 80s and enjoyed interacting with his classmates that were 60+ years his junior.
Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Velma Paulsen; brothers, Dale Paulsen and Robert Paulsen; sister, Nora Lea Stutzman; brothers-in-law, Ivan Baack, Clair Stutzman, and Neal Sell; and son-in-law, Jeff Harrison.
Survivors cherishing Kenny’s memory include his wife of 67 years, Joyce Paulsen, Seward; two daughters, Jill Harrison, Springfield, Missouri, and Laura Collard (Michael), Naperville, Illinois; sisters, Joanne Baack, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Carol Sell, Seward; sisters-in-law, Alice Armstrong, The Villages, Florida, and Rose Paulsen, Friend; grandchildren, Erin Ghandour and John Collard; great-granddaughter, Lena Elisa Ghandour; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The funeral service was March 15 at the Seward United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Ken’s memory to The American Brain Tumor Association, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. #550, Chicago, IL 60631, or Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 102, Seward, NE 68434. Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
