Howard William Paulsen

HOWARD WILLIAM PAULSEN was born to John Henry and Marie Margaret (Bruhn) Paulsen on February 26, 1933 in Pipestone Minnesota. In 1937, when Howard was four years old, he moved with his parents to a farm on the edge of Hatfield Minnesota where he attended school in District # 13 through the eighth grade. He then attended high school in Pipestone. After his graduation in 1951, he helped on the family farm. He also did construction/carpentry work and worked on the Milwaukee railroad. On July 9, 1953, he was drafted in the United States Army and served in Europe. Following his discharge from the army on June 7, 1955, he returned to the family farm. On July 19, 1958, he met Cynthia Moss at the Flame Room in Pipestone. They were married on February 14, 1959 at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Worthington. After their marriage, they lived and worked on the family farm. Cynthia preceded Howard in death on October 11, 2001. Following her death, he continued to live on the farm. In 2009, Howard moved to Falls Landing Assisted Living in Pipestone. In 2014, Howard entered into the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone where he resided until passing away there on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at the age of 86 years, 11 months, and three days.

Out of the love of his farm, many years later Howard constructed an exact replica of the barn on the farm for each of his children’s families. Howard’s eight grandchildren enjoyed playing with “Grandpa’s Barn” when they were children. It is a wonderful legacy for each family member.

Howard was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Pipestone. He was also a member of the Michael Boock American Legion Post 6 and VFW Post 3814 in Pipestone. For 35 years, he served on the Hatfield Village Council, 26 of those years as Hatfield’s mayor. He enjoyed the position and knew all of Hatfield’s history. Howard also served on the Southwest Conservation District Board, serving as district supervisor for 26 years. Howard was a steward of the land, and his passion was farming.

He is lovingly remembered by his four children, Linda (David) Werner of Little Canada, Minnesota and their children, Brian (Lori) of Washington, D.C. and Jason of Sioux Falls South Dakota; Laurie (Gary) Erickson of Holland Minnesota and their children, Mark (Ashley), and their children Hailey and Grace of Holland, Minnesota and Craig (Raeann) of Woodstock, Minnesota; and Lyman (Roxanne) Paulsen of Edgerton, Minnesota and their children, Nathan and Nicholas, both of Edgerton, Minnesota; and Lisa (Lee) Gorter of Pipestone Minnesota and their children, Scott (fiancée, Chelsey Carstensen) of Dell Rapids, South Dakota and Sarah of Pipestone Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife and his parents.

Use the following link to watch an interview with Howard:
https://youtu.be/4-3wjyMXZso