Bruce Alan Paulsen

Bruce Alan Paulsen, 75, passed away on Saturday June 6, 2026. A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home from 3-6PM.

Bruce generously gifted his body to Mayo Clinic, which so enriches the studies of the medical fields. Per his wishes, his ashes will be spread at a later date.

Bruce was born on August 14, 1950, in Freeborn County to Charley and Muriel Paulsen. Bruce loved the band Hairball and going to Brainerd for Street Outlaws races. He loved the outdoors and often went ice fishing in Canada, deer hunting up North, turkey hunting last Spring, and waited every three years to go bear hunting (he had enough points to go this year).

More than anything, he loved watching his granddaughter play softball and was proud of his grandson’s trap shooting and hunting. As a treat, he would take the kids out for rides in his four-wheeler.

If you knew Bruce, you know he was truly one of a kind.  He was the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back with hesitation-even if you were a stranger.  Although, being a stranger to Bruce was rare.  Once you met him, it didn't take long before you felt like you'd known him for years.  The moment you struck up a conversation with him, you became his friend.

Bruce is survived by his wife Norma Paulsen of Glenville, MN; children Dawn (Chad) Gilbertson of Albert Lea, MN, Ryan (Danielle) Paulsen of Sioux Falls, SD, and Mallory (Brock) Sorenson of Glenville, MN; grandchildren Chris (Paige) Dokken, Adison, Hanah, and Ellie Malakowsky, Abigail, Carson, and Charley Paulsen, Blayke and Graham Sorenson; great grandchild Lennon Dokken; sister Nancy (Dave) Harris; sisters-in-law Joyce Miller, Janet Funke, Betty Funke, and Joan (Ivan) Permann; brother-in-law Neil (Michelle) Funke; and many nieces and nephews.

Bruce is preceded in death by his parents Charley and Muriel Paulsen; mother-in-law Ethel (Hugo) Funke; and brothers-in-law Kenny Funke, Jerry Magnuson, and James Miller.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to St. Croix hospice and for the care and support shown to Bruce and the family.