Robert M. Paulsen

Robert M. Paulsen, age 80, of Chappell, NE passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020 at Sedgwick County Health Center in Julesburg, CO.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at the Chappell United Methodist Church in Chappell, NE with Reverend Ceciliah Igweta officiating. Burial was in the Berea Cemetery. There will be no visitation prior to services. Memorials can be made in Robert’s name to the Chappell United Methodist Church or Chappell Fire and Rescue.

You may view Robert’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Services will be recorded and available on our website for viewing. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Robert’s care and funeral arrangements.

Robert M. Paulsen was born on February 15, 1940 in Julesburg, CO to Glen R. and Velva I. (Freeman) Paulsen. For the first three years of Robert’s life, his family lived along the Lodgepole Creek south of Chappell. In 1943, the family moved to a farm in southern Garden County. Robert attended Elementary School at District 40, which was just a few steps from his home. Often times the teacher lived with Robert’s family. Following eighth grade, Robert attended Chappell High School and graduated in May of 1958. During his high school years, he played football and was a distance runner in track.

Following graduation, Robert continued to farm and ranch with his father. During this time, he met one of the new schoolteachers in the area, Wanda Roush. They were married on August 8, 1964 in Edgar, NE. After living a few months on a farm northeast of Chappell, they moved to a home southeast of Chappell where they lived until 1977. While living there, they were blessed with two children, Karla May and Richard Lee. In 1968, they purchased Robert’s grandparents’ ranch south of Chappell. They built a new home there and moved in the spring of 1977. They moved in a day before a major blizzard and spent the first three days in their new home without electricity.

As a young child, Robert attended Kowanda Methodist Church and was active in the Sunday School. Robert developed a great love for horses and spent many hours each day riding. Robert also enjoyed being a Boy Scout and going camping with his troop. Throughout his entire life, he took great pride in his Black Angus cattle herd and was a great steward of the land. One of Robert’s greatest joys in life was his family. He rarely missed any 4-H or school events. Robert was a member of the Chappell United Methodist Church, Golden Fleece Lodge #205 A.F. & A.M., Oshkosh Lodge #286 A.F. & A.M., and Eastern Star. Robert had a genuine care for others, and he often took time out to visit people who were hospitalized or in care facilities.

Robert is survived by his wife of 56 years Wanda Paulsen; daughter, Karla and husband Doug Criswell of Chappell; four grandchildren, Logan and Jaden Criswell of Oshkosh; Royal and Emma Paulsen of Sidney; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by: his parents, Glen and Velva Paulsen; sister and brother-in-law, Twila and Charles Timm; son, Richard Paulsen; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harold and Margaret Roush; brother-in-law, Larry Roush; and sister-in-law, Sharon Gates.