Richard "Dick" William Paulsen

Richard "Dick" William Paulsen was born on the family homestead to William and Emma (Hagedorn) Paulsen on January 25, 1929 in Pipestone, Minnesota.  After his graduation from Pipestone High School in 1946, he worked on the family farm.  He entered the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Germany during the Korean War and was honorably discharged as a Corporal.  On April 10, 1956, he was united in marriage to Barbara Hjermstad at St. Leo Catholic Church.  Following their marriage, they lived on the home farm where he farmed and raised his family for 63 years.  In 1996, they started to "Snow-bird" their winters in Mesa, Arizona.  In January 2021, they moved to Ridgeview Estates in Pipestone, Minnesota.  On October 1, 2023, he transitioned to the Pipestone County Hospice House.  On April 11, 2024, he joined Barbara in Heaven at the age of 95.

In High School Dick was known as the "educated farmer" and started his farming occupation at 16 years of age. He was a member of the National Honor Society and awarded as FFA State Farmer. He later became a member of the National Farmers Organization (NFO).  He served on the Advisory board for First Farmers and Merchants Bank, Peavey Grain Elevator Board, a past president of the Pipestone High School Band Board, and a member of St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone.

When not farming, Dick had many other interests.  He and Barbara would spend time with friends going dancing or to card club.  He enjoyed music and singing so loudly that he could be heard across the farmyard.  He always kept up with the news and watched the RFD channel.  He had a love for all animals especially his angus cattle and german shepherds. One of the highlights of every year was watching his grandkids show cattle at the fair.  Dick was an avid reader, he could finish a book in a day, and would read every newspaper or magazine he could get his hands on.

He is lovingly remembered by Three children, Patricia (Morey) Van Hoecke, Pamela Paulsen, and Carrie (Mark) Hiniker, all of Pipestone, Minnesota; Son-in-law, Tom Szyman; eight grandchildren, Bill (Emily) Van Hoecke, Chrissy (Jeff) Debates, Richie (Laura) Szyman, Kim (Drew) Ongstad, Emma (Luke) Tinklenberg, Chelsey (Brad) Hillard, Brooklyn, and Aiden Hiniker; and eleven great-grandchildren, William and Matthew Debates, Carson and Trevin Van Hoecke, Josephine and Charlotte Szyman, Jaycee and Walker Ongstad, Reese and Laramie Hillard, and Kasen Tinklenberg.   He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara; daughter, Vanessa Szyman; Son, Steven Paulsen; parents, William and Emma, and his brother, Robert Paulsen.

Please direct memorials to the Pipestone County Hospice House.