Russell L. "Russ" Paulsen

Hastings resident Russell L. “Russ” Paulsen, 81, passed away Thursday, July 18, 2024, at The Pines Nursing Home, Blue Hill, NE. 

Rosary will be at 10 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 29, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Hastings with Father Jeremy Hazuka officiating. The family is requesting Husker attire be worn to the service in honor of Russ. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. Monday, July 29, at Fredricksburg Cemetery, rural Minden. Visitation will be 1-5 p.m. Sunday, July 28, at the funeral home, and one hour before the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Michael’s Catholic Church or the American Cancer Society. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Russ’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page. 

Russ was born March 14, 1943, in rural Minden to Leonard and Elsie (Goosman) Paulsen. He attended high school in Minden and Hastings. Russ married Jeannette Einspahr on March 14, 1963; they later divorced. To this union, they had three children. He married Marie Witte-Degener on August 1, 2009, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Hastings. 

Russ worked at Metz Bakery until his retirement. He was an independent carpet layer as well. Russ was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. In addition to loving the Huskers, he loved playing cards and fishing. 

Russ was preceded in death by his parents; son, Russell Leonard “Rusty” Paulsen Jr.; sister, Norma Richter; and brother-in-law, Dale Holmes.

SURVIVORS:
Wife: 
    Marie Paulsen – Hastings, NE
Children & Spouse: 
    Melody & Robert “Bob” Blacketer – Wood River, NE
    Jeffery “Jeff” Paulsen – Grand Island, NE
Marie’s Children: 
    Connie & Mark Thomas – Hastings, NE
    Michael Degener – Omaha, NE
Step-Grandchildren & Spouses: 
    Seth & Jessica Thomas
    Hannah & Jordan Consbruck
    Ryan Degener
    Tyler Degener
    Erik Degener
Step-Great-Grandchildren: 
    Cooper Thomas
    Oaklyn Thomas
    Madelyn Consbruck
    Emma Consbruck
    Noah Consbruck
Sisters & Spouse: 
    Carolyn Wailes
    Donelda “Donnie” & Donald "Don" Hilligas
    Nancy Holmer
Numerous Nieces & Nephews