Karl Mauritz Paulsen Sr., age 76, of Vinton, passed away Thursday May 19, 2011 at his residence. Born March 14, 1935 in Tonsberg, Norway, he was the son of the late Peder Paulsen and Rakel Jacobsen Paulsen. In addition to his parents he was preceded by his Wife, Billie Irene Thomaschek Paulsen, 1 Grandson, Lincoln Parsons, 1 Granddaughter, Lorry Anne Carroll, and by 1 Brother in law, Robert 'Bobby' Thomaschek.

Karl married Billie Irene Thomaschek in Baltimore, Maryland on November 6, 1959; she preceded him on February 4, 2011. He was a loving Husband, Father, Brother in law, Pappaw, and Uncle.
He joined the Merchant Marines at the age of 17, and served as the Chief Cook. In the early 1960's Karl became a United States citizen. He was a retired supervisor for Southern Ohio Coal Co. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a life member of the Gallipolis Elks Lodge, and a member of the Moose Lodge of Point Pleasant.

He is survived by 3 Children: Daughter and Son in law, Karla and John Carroll of Gallipolis, Son and Daughter in law, Karl and Stephanie Paulsen Jr. of Burlington, WA, and Daughter and Son in law, Karol Leigh and Corey Parsons of Vinton; Grandchildren, Reese (Ronda) Paulsen, Priscilla Paulsen, Molly Irene Carroll, Courtney Parsons, Jill Carroll, and Carter Parsons; Great Grandchildren: Emma Grace and Savannah Bailey Paulsen; and Jordan Kole Paulsen; 1 Uncle, Sigmund Paulsen of Norway; 1 Cousin, Per Jacobsen of Norway, and several other family members in Norway, 2 sisters in law and brothers in law, Judy and Butch Holt, and Jr. and Donna Thomaschek, and sister in law, Myrt Thomaschek. He is also survived by a host of friends, and his special family Don and Joyce Rumley, Paul Skinner and his family, Bob Murphy, and his weekly coffee buddies. Karl was the Godfather of Teresa Skinner Harrison and Jack Simms. Karl also leaves behind his beloved dog, Baby Bear.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday May 25, 2011 at St. Louis Catholic Church with Monsignor William Myers officiating. Burial will follow in Vinton Memorial Park. Friends may call at the Waugh-Halley-Wood Funeral home on Tuesday May 24, 2011 from 4 to 8 P.M.
Elks Memorial Services will be conducted at 8:00 P.M. by the Gallipolis Elks Lodge #107. A Catholic prayer service will follow.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to either, The St. Louis Catholic Church Project Fund or to the Gallipolis Elks Club PER Scholarship Fund.
An online guest registry is available at waugh-halley-wood.com