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John Paulsen

Lead Summary

John William “Jack” Paulsen, 80, Hills, died Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, at the Luverne Hospice Cottage in Luverne.
A funeral service was Friday, Dec. 10, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills. Private inurnment will be at a later date in the Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery in Hills.
John Paulsen was born on Oct. 5, 1941, at Luverne, the son of John and Martha (Thompson) Paulsen.  Jack was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills.  He grew up on the family farm near Steen and graduated from Hills High School in Hills. After graduating, he attended South Dakota Beauty and Barber School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Jack started working in Springfield, where he met Pat Rethwill.
Jack and Pat Rethwill were married on Oct. 20, 1962, in Springfield. They made their home in Springfield, then Cassin, and eventually moved to Jack’s family farm near Steen. In 1983 Jack and Pat moved into Hills. Jack started selling Pioneer Seed, and over the years he worked as a crop adjuster and also for the ASCS office.
Jack was a lifelong member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council and as a deacon. Jack also served on the Rock County Rural Water Board and the Tuff Memorial Home Board.
Jack is survived by his wife, Pat, of Hills; their children, Todd (Jane) Paulsen of Le Center, Michael (Jen) Paulsen of Sioux Falls, and Jackie (Steve) Wells of Rock Rapids, Iowa; four bonus children, Darlene Vanden Huevel of Sioux Falls, Debra Vanden Bosch of Sioux Falls, Buddy Delfs of LeMars, Iowa, and Randy Delfs of Hardwick; six grandchildren, Molly (Tarey) Stewart of Lonsdale, John (Ashley) Paulsen of Le Center, Emily (Dylan) Baker of Le Center, Callista Paulsen of Sioux Falls, Ian Wells of Rock Rapids, and Sydney Wells of Rock Rapids; four great-grandchildren, Calla, Sophie, Jack and Sadie; one sister, Janice Delfs of Rock Rapids; and a bonus brother, Gregg (Jackie) Thompson of Hawarden, Iowa.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister.
Arrangements were provided by Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills, www.jurrensfuneralhome.com.
(1216 F)

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