Kenneth Eugene Paulsen was born on March 19, 1934, in Cordova, Nebraska, to Carl Peter and Velma Minnie (Noler) Paulsen and passed away on 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 August 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 80's and enjoyed interacting with his classmates that were 60+ years his junior.

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Carl & 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, Nebraska; grandchildren, Erin Ghandour (Abed) and John Collard; great-granddaughter, Lena Elisa Ghandour; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Ken's memory to:

The American Brain Tumor Association      or     Meals on Wheels
8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. #550                               P.O. Box 102
Chicago, IL 60631                                                      Seward, NE 68434