1934
Merle
2025
Merle E Paulsen
August 12, 1934 — January 31, 2025
Born: August 12, 1934
Passed Away: January 31, 2025
It is with deep sorrow mixed with joy that we announce the passing of Merle Erwin Paulsen, who passed into eternity on January 31, 2025, at the age of 90. Sorrow as Merle will be greatly missed. Joy that he is now at peace in the arms of his Savior, Jesus. Merle was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend who had a unique and witty sense of humor, loved to tell stories, and was cherished by all who knew him.
Merle is preceded in death by his father, C. Erwin Paulsen (Carl), mother Gladys Paulsen (nee Courtney), son Douglas, sister Eunice Scholten, and brother Ben. He is survived by children: Lorie Schmitz (Tom), Lisa Pickard (Jeff), second wife Janet (nee Koester), and stepchildren: Lisa Zaloudek (Dan), Jody Ellis (Linda), Emily Ellis, and Wade Ellis (Vicki); 16 grandchildren, many many great grandchildren, and 1 great, great grandchild.
Early Life
Merle Erwin Paulsen was born on August 12, 1934, in Glenwood, Iowa to Gladys and C. Erwin Paulsen. He was the middle child between older sister, Eunice, and younger brother, Ben. The family moved to Omaha in 1941 where Merle spent his childhood. He was baptized in the Lutheran Church in 1945 and confirmed in 1948. Merle attended Tech High School and graduated early with the Class of 1951 at the age of 17.
From a young age Merle had his heart set on becoming a Marine like his Marine friend he so admired. So, after High School graduation he headed straight to the Marine Recruiting office where he was informed he couldn’t join until age 18 without his parents’ permission. Knowing his mother was opposed, he decided he would lie about his age. His mother, seeing his determination and opposed to him lying, signed the release. Merle became a Marine and lived a life of “once a Marine always a Marine”.
He was deployed to Korea at age 18 and was awarded the Naval Service Combat Action Ribbon for his service in Korea. By 1953, Merle was promoted to Corporal. He attended NCO school where he finished 5th in his class and was section leader of a 105mm howitzer gun. In 1960 he went to Cartographic Drafting training at Fort Belvoir, VA. He told his Commander: “I’m going to graduate #1. When finished, his Commander asked; “how’d you do?”. Merle replied, “I told you I was going to be #1 and I was!” It was Merle’s intent to be a career Marine, but he was deemed ‘physically disqualified’ to re-enlist so was discharged in 1962 with a rank of Sergeant (E-5). He then attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and later at the Omaha campus on the GI Bill and received a Bachelor’s degree in 1975.
Career
Merle worked 32 years in the accounting field as an accountant or auditor in both the private sector and government. He retired from the Packers & Stockyards Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC, September 1994 as the Branch Chief (GS – 14).
Family and Personal Life.
Merle was conducting an audit at the Sarpy County Courthouse when he met Janet Koester Ellis who would become his second wife. A second marriage for both, they decided to elope and were married in 1982 in Las Vegas. They became a blended family for their combined 7 grown children as well as many grandchildren who lovingly knew Merle as Grandpa. Merle and Janet initially settled in Millard, Nebraska and eventually moved to Woodbridge, VA when Merle accepted the Branch Chief position in 1984. They both retired from government jobs in D.C and moved to Citrus County, Florida in 1995 and became active in both church and community services. Merle served on his church council and was elected both vice president and president. He worked with church groups renovating houses that provided low-cost rental units for the elderly. As a member of the Marine Corps League, he held various positions including Detachment Commandant. He worked with Toys for Tots, Veterans in the Classroom, was a member of the Citrus County Veteran’s Appreciation Committee and served on the Honor Guard for veteran military services at Bushnell National Cemetery and Citrus County, FL cemeteries.
In 2007, Merle and Janet moved back to Nebraska and settled in Papillion to be closer to family. Merle continued to be active in the Marine Corps League and he and Janet participated in North Omaha outreach programs through Thanksgiving church where they were members. They loved to travel together to places like Greece, Germany, Spain and numerous cruises - often with their Florida friends.
Merle was a man of many interests. He and wife Janet both loved gardening and had a beautifully landscaped acreage at their Florida home. He loved reading history and especially learning about places he traveled to. He enjoyed researching the genealogy of his ancestors and tracked some back to the early settlers of Jamestown in the 1600’s. He collected miniature Disney figurines and had an extensive Christmas village collection that he would set out each year. On Husker football days you would find Merle watching from his favorite chair in front of the big screen in the family room – often with other family members joining him.
Legacy
Merle lived his life by the Marine values of: Honor, Courage, and Commitment. He was disciplined and while not quite a perfectionist, he liked everything orderly and in its proper place. The Marine’s Motto is: Semper Fidelis; Latin for "Always Faithful” and Merle was a faithful and loyal husband, father, and friend. He stood up and advocated for minorities when it was not the popular thing to do. He was a coach and mentor to his employees and those he worked with. As Branch Chief for the U.S. Department of Agriculture he was often involved in legal cases and worked closely with lawyers. A group of young, inexperienced women lawyers would come to Merle for advice and affectionately awarded him an “unofficial” certificate for “Practicing Law Without a License”, telling him he should have been a lawyer! He gained media attention for his role on the jury of the infamous Lorena Bobbitt trial in 1994 and appeared on the Maury Povich show.
Merle was generous with his family, his church, and causes he cared about. Tunnels to Towers Foundation was one of his favorite organizations as they provide an array of services to disabled veterans. Merle modeled all these values and touched many lives. This is Merle’s legacy.
Celebration of Life
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 11:00 am, with family receiving friends one hour prior to the service at Braman Mortuary (Millard Chapel). The family invites all to stay for a luncheon after the service. Interment at Omaha National Cemetery at 1:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation or Thanksgiving Church, Bellevue, Nebraska in Merle Paulsen’s honor.
Braman Mortuary and Cremation Services
6505 S. 144 St. 6505 S. 144 St. Omaha, NE 68137 / 402-895-3400
To send flowers to the family in memory of Merle E Paulsen, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Family Receiving Friends
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
Braman Mortuary (Millard Chapel)
Celebration of Life
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Braman Mortuary (Millard Chapel)
Graveside Service
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Starts at 1:30 pm (Central time)
Omaha National Cemetery
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