I'll sure miss you Dad.

My 90 year old Dad, Harry James Paulsen Jr. passed away this past Friday evening.  Dad was a great man in every way.  He was very special to me and I will miss him terribly.  He had been in a nursing home and was suffering from advanced stages of vascular dementia or Alzheimers.  I had just come back from visiting my Mom and Dad in Illinois on May 15.  The first photo is one of the last photos taken of my Dad and I in November 2011.  My high school friend, Sue (Lowe) Stoodt took the photo.  In an uncanny coincidence, her Dad just died on the same day as my Dad, just hours and a few miles apart!

In WWII Dad served as an Army medic, was wounded when in Breda, Holland, and received a Purple Heart.

This photo was taken in 1995 when my Dad was 73.

Here is my Dad's obituary:

Harry “Bud” James Paulsen Jr, 90, of Winthrop Harbor, died on May 25, 2012, at Rolling Hills Nursing Home, Zion, IL.  Harry was born on September 28, 1921, in Zion, IL, to Harry Sr. and Mabel (Christensen) Paulsen.  He is survived by his wife, Anna (Arnoldsen), whom he married on May 31, 1947, in Chicago and 4 children, Diane (Gordy) Taylor, Macomb, IL; Arne (Julie) Paulsen, Beach Park, IL; Paul (Marsha) Paulsen, Beach Park, IL; and Ruth (Steve) Drew, Highlands Ranch, CO.  Also surviving are 9 grandchildren, Jennifer (John) Stevenson, Colleen (Steve) Rodgers, Lesli (Kevin) Miller, Gordon (Lisa) Taylor III, Heather (John) Patenaude, Neil (Michelle) Paulsen, Ryan Taylor, Derek (Erin) Paulsen, and Kyle (Katie) Paulsen, 16 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Harry served his country as an Army medic in the 104^th Infantry Division (Timberwolves) in WWII and received a Purple Heart after being wounded on October 29, 1944, while in Breda, Holland.  Harry graduated from Zion-Benton Township High School.  He was a linotype operator by trade and was employed by BAT Printing Co., Waukegan News Sun, Business Cards, and finally Friends Printing where he retired in 1986.  

He was an active member of St. Mary’s Lutheran Church in Kenosha, belonged to the American Legion Post #1187 of Winthrop Harbor, the Sons of Norway, Winthrop Harbor’s AARP organization, and the Disabled American Veterans. 

Harry loved his family and exemplified what it is to be a loving husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, uncle, and son.  He was a quiet man, but when he talked others listened.  He took pride in his home and yard.  Harry had a strong work ethic which lives on in his extended family.  Harry was a loyal American citizen and a Christian man. 

He was preceded in death by three sisters and one brother:  Marion Nelson and Verna Simon of Winthrop Harbor, IL; Grant Paulsen, Gurnee, IL; and Betty Walker, Arlington, TX. 

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 31^st, followed by a service at 11 at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church, Kenosha, WI.  Internment is at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Zion, IL.

                 Memorials may be made to the Harry and Anna Paulsen Scholarship, Western Illinois University, or St. Mary’s Lutheran Church.