Funeral services will be 10AM Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church with burial to follow at Nazareth Cemetery, rural Beresford, SD. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Services will be live streamed at: emmanuel lutheran church

Leonard Russell Paulsen was born October 10, 1959 in Canton, South Dakota to John and Betty (Henriksen) Paulsen.  He passed away on December 23, 2025 at the age of 66.

He was raised on the family farm, attended North Star Country School and graduated from Beresford High School in 1977.  After high school, he attended the University of South Dakota at Springfield and graduated with a degree in Diesel Mechanics in 1979.  He married Sherri (Shemonsky) Dubbelde on December 21, 1979 and had two children.

Leonard began his working career at Oden Implement in Vermillion until the business closed in 1986.  He then moved the family to Beresford and started work at Pedersen Machine.  In 1998, he took a job at E-Z-Go Golf Cart until his return to Grossenburg Implement (formally Pedersen Machine) in 2007.

He served on the Beresford Volunteer Fire Department from 1995-2009, enjoyed snowmobiling, tractor pulling, working on his Chevelle, grilling hamburgers for his family, mowing his lawn and golfing with friends.

Leonard is preceded in death by his parents, John and Betty Paulsen.  He is survived by his son, Bryan (Amber) Paulsen, Beresford, SD; daughter, Elizabeth (Nathan) Semrau, Hartford, SD; grandchildren, Harrison Semrau, Carter Semrau & Emmalyn Semrau; brother, Raymond (Joanne) Paulsen, Beresford, SD; sisters, Nancy (Neil) Shuck, Beresford, SD; Linda (Robert) Eschliman, Lincoln, NE and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.