Lavern Peter Paulsen

LaVern Peter Paulsen, the son of Hans Peter and Alma Jensen Paulsen, was born April 28, 1923, at his parents home in Sharon Township, Audubon County, Iowa and died May 15, 2010, at the Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 87 years and 17 days.
LaVern was baptized and confirmed at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. He attended rural schools and then graduated from the Exira High School with the Class of 1941.
On June 28, 1941, he was united in marriage to Ruby Jane Beck in Maryville, Missouri. Three children were born to this union. LaVern was farming with his father when he was inducted into the U.S. Army on May 26, 1945.During his tour of duty he was stationed in Texas. He was honorably discharged and they returned to Exira to farm with his father. Later LaVern and Jane purchased a farm east of Exira where they grew row crops and raised livestock. He retired from working on the farm, but continued to oversee the farm operation. They moved to Atlantic, Iowa for a short time then returned to the farm in Exira. In 1990 they returned to Atlantic.
LaVern was a member of St Pauls Lutheran Church in Atlantic. He had served on the Exira School Board for several years and was a member of the Atlantic Lions Club. One of the highlights of his life was having the opportunity to participate in the Southwest Iowa Honors Flight to Washington D.C. in May of 2009. LaVern enjoyed classic cars and antique tractors. He enjoyed playing cards with his friends and playing golf. He always looked forward to driving in parades especially the 4th of July Parade in Exira. LaVern was a family man and enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his brothers and sisters: Frances and husband Leland Griffin, Ruth and husband Robert Baier, Lester and Doris Paulsen; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Beulah Paulsen, Sigard Beck, Eva Beck, Egan and wife Gladys Beck, Rejner and wife Viola Beck, Ebba and husband Arnold Nissen, Leonard Vorm, Ranny Kelloway, and Charles Smalley.
Survivors include his wife Jane Paulsen of Atlantic, Iowa; his children: Sandra and husband Garry Baker of Urbandale, Iowa, James and wife Kathy Paulsen of Omaha, Nebraska, and Melissa and husband Allen Stark of Atlantic, Iowa; his grandchildren: Perry Miller of Ankeny, Iowa, Tobin and wife Amanda Miller of Bagley, Iowa, Erica and husband Ryan McMahon of Peoria, Illinois, Brooke Paulsen of Kansas City, Missouri, Sierra Stark of Atlantic, Iowa; his great grandchildren: Conner McMahon of Peoria, and Ryder Miller of Bagley; his brothers: Emmert Paulsen and Donald and wife Eileen Paulsen all of Exira, Iowa; his sisters-in-law: Vera Vorm of Des Moines, Iowa, Rhoda Kelloway of Anita, Iowa, and Carla Smalley of Charlotte, North Carolina, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Memorials:
The family prefers memorials to the Lullabye Foundation in Atlantic, Iowa.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira, Iowa at 9:00 A.M. Wednesday morning prior to the funeral service.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday evening at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Dennis Meyer and Pastor Sally Meyer on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa.