Dean Earl Paulsen

1953 - 2025

Dean Earl Paulsen, 71, of Clarksville, Iowa passed away peacefully at Des Moines Methodist Hospital on Sunday, February 2, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Dean was born on June 20, 1953, in Waverly, the son of Merle (Pete) and Elizabeth (Betty) Paulsen. Dean graduated from Waverly-Shell Rock High School in 1971 and later from Hawkeye Community College, earning an AA degree in automotive technology. Dean worked several years as an auto mechanic before beginning his teaching career at Hawkeye. He taught in the automotive technology program for 33 years. During many of those years, Dean enjoyed farming on the family farm.

During the spring of 1974, members of a women's softball team knocked on his door, asking if he would be interested in coaching their team. His future wife, Gwenlyn "Gwen" Conklin, was on that softball team and the rest is history. Dean and Gwen were married on July 23, 1977, at Trinity United Methodist Church. After living many years in Waverly, they moved to Dean's childhood home near Clarksville.

Dean was a loving husband and father. He was incredibly proud of Christie and her amazing spouse, Cody. Dean loved helping them with home projects and, of course, all their vehicle issues. Dean could repair anything with a motor-cars, trucks, tractors, golf carts, anything. Deans' sense of humor came through quite often when he played pranks on family and friends.

Dean enjoyed playing golf, slow pitch softball and was quite the bowler. His hole-in-one was documented at Waverly Golf Course. Dean was a great pitcher on those slow pitch teams, earning the nickname "Bad Hop". He could bowl a great game and bowled in several leagues over the years.

Dean survived by his wife, Gwen and his daughter Christie (Cody) Bilharz. He is also survived by his sister Kathy (Bill) Palmersheim and several nieces and nephews. Dean was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 7, 2025 with Pastor Vicki Reece presiding. Cremation will follow the services and cremains will be buried later in Willow Lawn Cemetery, Plainfield. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to be distributed to organizations that were meaningful to Dean. Online condolences may be left at www.kaisercorson.com. Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly is assisting Dean's family, 319-352-1187.