Harold Paulsen

Harold John Paulsen, 86, known to most as Harry, passed away at Sweet Nursing Home, on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, of natural causes.

At his request, cremation has taken place and no services will be held. Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.

Harry was born the middle son to Edward and Freda (Hanson) Paulsen on Sept. 7, 1924, in Chinook. He lived all his life in the Clear Creek area except for a military service time. A self-taught musician, he began as a young boy playing harmonica with his older brother for dances. Later Harry advanced to tenor banjo, five-string banjo and a fiddle. Music was always a great joy in his life. Earlier, he belonged to the Mike River Wranglers, and they played constantly for dances in Hill and Blaine counties. In later years, he was a dedicated member of the Ole Time Fiddlers, attending jams all over northern Montana. In July 1945, he was drafted into the U. S. Army and after training was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash.

While still stationed at Fort Lewis, home on furlough, he married Flora Vercruyssen in Great Falls on Feb. 11, 1946. After being discharged, Harry returned to Chinook, working as a mechanic on Caterpillars and latter became shop foreman for Blaine County Road Department.

A daughter, Sherry Lee Paulsen was born on Jan. 23, 1947. Next he went to work as a cat-skinner for Willis Morris and in 1953 purchased his first dirt construction equipment. Thus began many years of dirt moving all over the Milk River Valley and into Hill, Liberty and Phillips counties, plus a large government sage brush removal project near Dillon, Mont.

In 1965 he began ranching on Clear Creek with dirt work on the side. He loved his ranch and animals and continued to work it to the very end with the aid of the Olson boys. Harry is survived by his wife, Flora Paulsen of Chinook; daughter, Sherry (Joe) Schwab of Bellevue, Wash. ; grandchildren, John, Joe-Mac, and Julia; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Harold John Paulsen, 86, known to most as Harry, passed away at Sweet Nursing Home, on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010, of natural causes.

At his request, cremation has taken place and no services will be held. Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.

Harry was born the middle son to Edward and Freda (Hanson) Paulsen on Sept. 7, 1924, in Chinook. He lived all his life in the Clear Creek area except for a military service time. A self-taught musician, he began as a young boy playing harmonica with his older brother for dances. Later Harry advanced to tenor banjo, five-string banjo and a fiddle. Music was always a great joy in his life. Earlier, he belonged to the Mike River Wranglers, and they played constantly for dances in Hill and Blaine counties. In later years, he was a dedicated member of the Ole Time Fiddlers, attending jams all over northern Montana. In July 1945, he was drafted into the U. S. Army and after training was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash.

While still stationed at Fort Lewis, home on furlough, he married Flora Vercruyssen in Great Falls on Feb. 11, 1946. After being discharged, Harry returned to Chinook, working as a mechanic on Caterpillars and latter became shop foreman for Blaine County Road Department.

A daughter, Sherry Lee Paulsen was born on Jan. 23, 1947. Next he went to work as a cat-skinner for Willis Morris and in 1953 purchased his first dirt construction equipment. Thus began many years of dirt moving all over the Milk River Valley and into Hill, Liberty and Phillips counties, plus a large government sage brush removal project near Dillon, Mont.

In 1965 he began ranching on Clear Creek with dirt work on the side. He loved his ranch and animals and continued to work it to the very end with the aid of the Olson boys. Harry is survived by his wife, Flora Paulsen of Chinook; daughter, Sherry (Joe) Schwab of Bellevue, Wash. ; grandchildren, John, Joe-Mac, and Julia; and numerous nieces and nephews.