Donald "Don" Lewis Paulsen, 86, of Redfield, SD, passed away Sunday, January 19, 2025, at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield.

Services will be held on Saturday, January 25, at the Redfield Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 1:00 – 2:00 PM.  His funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM with Pastor Melissa Rowenhorst officiating.  Coffee and bars will be served in the church hall after the service.  Inurnment will be at a later date at Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield.

Don's service will be live-streamed on the funeral home's website below his obituary. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield (www.hykefuneralhome.com).

Don was born April 18, 1938, to Lewis and Katherine (Hegge) Paulsen. He grew up on a farm near Wessington, SD.

After meeting with Shirley Muilenburg on a blind date, they married a year later on February 12, 1961, at the Redfield Wesleyan Church. They farmed near Bonilla, SD, before making their home in Redfield, SD. They were married 62 years.

Don worked at the Wheat Growers elevator in Redfield for 16 years. Don also drove gravel trucks for Bauer Construction and Mueller Construction before retiring.

Don was a great mechanic that could fix anything. He was always working on tractors or cars. He was a member of the Two Cylinder Club and enjoyed going to threshing shows across the state.

After retirement, Don started making farm toy machinery. Toy Farmer magazine featured a story on Don and after that, he received requests from across the country to make custom combines.

Don was an avid reader of Louis L'Amour and William Johnstone books. He loved spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids.

Don is survived by his children; son Bob (Marvelle) Paulsen and their children, Chris (Kristina), Trista, Denae, Nyakier, Melakye and Octavia; son Tim Paulsen of Piedmont, SD and his children, Matt and Cassie; daughter Darla (Greg) Van Vleet and their children, Mike (Cori) Van Vleet and Emily (Matt) Rudel; great-grandchildren, William, Payton, Bella, Jazzlynn, Kasen, Kamryon, Raelle and Everlee; sister-in-law Beverly (Lloyd) Schafer; cousin Norman Willard; and many nieces and  nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley, his mother Katherine, father Lewis, brother Robert, sister Myrna, mother-in-law Helen Muilenburg, father-in-law John Muilenburg, sister-in-law Margaret Ernster, and daughter-in-law Tammy Paulsen.