Kennard John Paulson, age 89 of East Grand Forks, MN passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Kennard (Kenny) Paulson was born on December 22, 1930 in Stephen, MN, the son of John and Emma (Sjo) Paulson. He was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church. Kenny grew up in rural Stephen, MN and he worked for area farmers.  He joined the United States Army and was stationed for 2 years in Korea as a Sergeant in small arms repairs.  Following his honorable discharge from the army, he returned back home to the Thief River Falls area.  On May 15, 1955 he was united in marriage to Nadine Bernstrom at Zion Lutheran Church in Lake Bronson, MN.  They moved to Grand Forks, ND where he worked for the Grand Forks Air Force Base for several years.  He then worked for D. Anderson Builders for a while until he became a self-employed contractor building homes in the area.  Kenny was well known in the area as not only a great craftsman, but also a kind man who always had a smile on his face.

In October of 2016 he was honored to have been selected to take a Veterans Honor Flight. He enjoyed taking in all of the sights and monuments with 2 of his children.

Kenny loved the woods and anything outdoors, including camping, hunting, and gathering anything that was pickable. He was happiest when he was sharing with his friends and family, including berries he'd picked, jams and jellies he and Nadine made, and various items he had built. He also shared of his time, volunteering at the East Grand Forks Food Shelf, and Family of God Church, of which he was a council member. He was also a former member of Augustana Lutheran Church and a proud member of the American Legion.

Cherished family members of Kenny include his loving wife of 65 years, Nadine Paulson of East Grand Forks, MN; children, Lori (Tom) Hofland of East Grand Forks, MN, Kevin (Leigh) Paulson of Minneapolis, MN, Marcia Paulson (Lori Mattison) of Fargo, ND and Diane Olson (Scott Iverson) of East Grand Forks, MN; grandchildren, Katie (Dane) Simonson, Michael (Kasie) Palos, Kiefer Paulson (Jillian Higbe), Delaney Paulson, Matthew Olson (Trista Sager), Aimee (Dillon) Hoff, Chad (Liz) Olson, Scott Rothmann; 1 great-grandson Jack Simonson; siblings, Nannie Entner of Seattle, WA, Lyle (Colleen) Paulson of Thief River Falls, MN; sisters-in-law, Connie Bernstrom of Coon Rapids, MN, Janet Skatrud of Eden Prairie, MN and Patty (Gary) Kerska of Sioux Falls, SD.

He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Neil Paulson; sisters, Edna Mossestad, Doreen Anderson and a brother-in-law, Ronald Bernstrom.

Kenny's family would like to give a special thank-you to Chad, Judi and Kristen of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to Family of God Church, Hospice of the Red River Valley or the East Grand Forks Food Shelf.

Memorial Service: 11:30 AM on Monday, October 12, 2020 at Dahl Funeral Home, 2029 Central Ave. NW, East Grand Forks, MN

Masks and social distancing will be required. The Memorial Service will be live-streamed on Dahl Funeral Home Facebook Page.

Visitation: One Hour Prior Memorial Service on Monday at Dahl Funeral Home.

Interment: Resurrection Cemetery, East Grand Forks, MN

Military Funeral Honors Conducted By: American Legion Post #157, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3817 and the Minnesota Army National Guard.