The Rev. Clifford R. Paulsen passed away at home on Sunday, April 26, 2009, following an illness. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 1, 2009, at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairmont at 10 a.m. and at Emmons Lutheran Church in Emmons at 2 p.m. Interment will follow the funeral in Emmons at the Oak Lawn Cemetery, Emmons, with military honors provided by the Emmons American Legion Post 317. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the services in the churches. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Zaharia Family Funeral and Cremation Service of Truman.
Clifford was born the youngest child of Martin and Bolena Paulsen on a farm in Blair, Neb., on Aug. 10, 1920. Upon completion of his schooling and his work on the family farm, he left home to serve his country during World War II in England. He was a medical supply sergeant for 2-1/2 years. Upon his return, he attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree. He then attended Trinity Seminary, graduating with a master’s of divinity degree. From there he entered the seminary.
He was united in marriage to Rigmor (Lank) Petersen of Racine, Wis., on June 9, 1950. Cliff served as a Lutheran minister for congregations in Oakland, Calif., Royal, Iowa, and Emmons until 1973. While in Emmons, he was especially loved by the youth of the community for his kind and understanding heart, taking his confirmation and Luther League groups on retreats to Mascot Resort in Hackensack, canoeing in the Boundary Waters, and hiking the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming. He was often called “The Father of the Bighorns” by local business owners in Buffalo, Wyo., because of his numerous trips into the mountains and his love for the bighorn sheep he encountered while enjoying the beauty and solitude of God’s creation. In 1973 Cliff became the administrator at St. John’s Lutheran home in Albert Lea. He served there for 15 years. Rigmor passed away from cancer on Aug. 5, 1990.
Cliff worked as a visiting pastor at Normandale Lutheran Church in Edina for two years. While there, Cliff married Vivian Henriksen of Park Rapids on Dec. 16, 1993. Together they enjoyed there retirement years in Edina, Nevis, Pine River, and Nisswa. They also enjoyed winter months in Mesa, Ariz., and Rockport, Texas. Cliff loved playing cards and a good game of golf. The last few years Cliff and Vivian had the privilege of living at the Goldfinch Estates in Fairmont. They were members of Grace Lutheran Chapel in Fairmont.
The Rev. Clifford Paulsen is survived by his wife, Vivian; son, Mark Paulsen (Melanie) of Indianola, Iowa; daughters: Diane Huben of Rice, Linda Flewellen (Robert) of San Diego, Calif.; and Tricia Stensgard (John) of Maple Grove; grandchildren: Bradley and Chelsea Paulsen, Lacy Huben, Nicole, Joshua, and Cory Flewellen, and Christian and Grace Stensgard. Clifford is also survived by Vivian’s children: Dennis Henriksen (Jo) of Woodland; Steve Henriksen (Renate) of Longville; Kathryn Blanchard (Jim) of Clear Lake, Iowa; and daughter-in-law Dee Henriksen of Edina.
Cliff was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rigmor; son, Timothy; and infant daughter, Sharon. He was also preceded by brothers: Fred, Harold, Clarence, Raymond, and Christian; two sisters: Eda and Dorothy; and Vivian’s son, Gary Henriksen.
Memorials are preferred to St. John’s Lutheran Home, Albert Lea.