Kelly Dean Paulsen

Kelly Dean Paulsen, son of Larry and Betty (Wahlert) Paulsen, was born on February 12, 1967, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa and died December 5, 2019, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 52 years, 9 months, and 23 days.

Kelly was baptized and confirmed at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. He attended the Exira Community Schools, graduating with the High School Class of 1985. Following graduation, Kelly moved to Omaha, Nebraska and attended trade school, earning certifications in auto technology.

Kelly was blessed with three children: Brittany, Devin, and Leslie. In 1987, he moved back to Exira and was employed with Dura Glass in Audubon until 1997, when he went to work for Agri Drain Corporation in Adair, Iowa, where he was employed for more than 10 years. In 2006, Kelly was employed for Duke Aerial in Atlantic, Iowa and remained there for several years until he was forced to retire in 2017 due to his failing health. In his spare time, Kelly enjoyed helping Harold and LaVonne Littlefield at their farm handling various tasks and jobs for them.

Kelly was a member of the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira. He was also an avid collector of Budweiser steins and NASCAR merchandise and collectibles. He enjoyed painting model cars and was a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan. Most of all, Kelly really enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Survivors include his children and grandchildren, Brittany Paulsen and her son Xander, both of Atlantic; Devin Paulsen and his fiancé Alyson Kanne and their son Wyatt, all of Ankeny, Iowa; and Leslie Paulsen and her children Cambri and Charles, all of Brayton, Iowa; his mother, Betty Paulsen of Exira; his father, Larry and wife Marilyn Paulsen of Exira; his sisters, Christy and husband Tom Vogelzang of Hamlin, Iowa; and Lory and husband Anthony DeFruscio of Adair, Iowa and their children, Meghan and husband Shiloh Ingram of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Matthew Paulsen of Adair; and Myah DeFruscio of Adair; LuAnn Kasperbauer of Glidden, Iowa and Tracy Paulsen of Exira; his special friends, Brock and Chantel and their daughter Taya of Exira; as well as many relatives and friends.

The family will greet friends on Monday, December 9, 2019, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at 10:30 A.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira. The family would like to invite everyone to the Exira Event Center, 106 North Jefferson Street, Exira, for a time food and fellowship following the funeral service.