Reinhart Harlan Paulsen, age 93, of O'Fallon, IL, born March 13, 1925 in rural Bancroft, NE, died Monday, October 29, 2018 at Cedar Ridge Healthcare in Lebanon, IL.

Growing up in rural Nebraska, Mr. Paulsen became a lifelong, die-hard fan and season-ticket-holder of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. His family moved to Fremont, NE in 1940 where he graduated from high school. In 1943, he enlisted in the Navy and served during WWII. He was the former owner/operator of South Omaha Feed & Supply and subsequently engaged in multiple business ventures in Omaha, including a second career as a Financial Planner. Always active in his church, he was the Past President of the First Lutheran Church of Omaha where he served on the committee to build a new Sunday School building addition. He was also a former Board Member of the Southwestern Synod of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was the honored recipient of the 16th Annual Sam Greenberg Memorial Open Award given by the S. Omaha Optimist Club that also honored him for his outstanding leadership as President. While serving the Optimists, he was responsible for establishing The Cornerstone Award given annually to a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Mr. Paulsen was devoted to his family and gave generously of his time and talents, lovingly touching the lives of many. He was also a sharp bridge and pinochle player, a joyous dancer, and enthusiastically played tennis, ping pong, pool, and especially golf, as a former member of the Oak Hills Country Club, Omaha.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lorenz and Dorothea, nee Schmidt, Paulsen; and his sisters Esther Wilson and Vernice Wieland.

Surviving are his wife of 71 years, Cornelia "Cornie," nee Adams, Paulsen, whom he married June 25, 1947; his children Carol (Lester) Reinke of Oklahoma City; Marcia (special friend Henry Magno) Herrera of West Newton, MA, Nancy Schmidt of O'Fallon, IL, and Dale (special friend Luisa Lara) Paulsen of Algonquin, IL, grandchildren Jonathan (Val) Reinke; Lisa Reinke, Nicolae (Sarah) Herrera, Daniel (Jean) Herrera, Jessica (Andy) Feary, Emily (Rigoberto) Sanchez, Kevin Schmidt, Katy (Kody) McCracken, and Alexander Paulsen; and nine great grandchildren.

Memorial donations are suggested to Blessed Savior Lutheran Church, O'Fallon, IL, ( http://mybslc.org/ ), First Lutheran Church Food Pantry, Omaha, NE ( http://www.flcomaha.org/ ) or Cure Alzheimer's Fund, ( https://curealz.org/ ).

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Friday, November 2, 2018 at Blessed Savior Lutheran Church, O'Fallon, IL.

Funeral: 7:00 pm, Friday, November 2, 2018 at the church, with  Pastors Vern Lintvedt and Matthew Kusch officiating.