Bruce Eldon Paulsen

Bruce Eldon Paulsen, 65, passed peacefully at his home, just after noon on Friday, January 27th. After a courageous and difficult battle against pancreatic cancer, surrounded by loved ones, he quietly closed his eyes, to open them again in Heaven. He will be missed from our lives now, yet in faith by God's grace, we will share our Eternal Life.

The son of Eldon Vernon Paulsen of Snyder, Nebraska, and Myrtle Lenora Paulsen of Cedar Falls, Iowa, was born on September 19, 1951, at Yuma General Hospital in Yuma, Arizona. He grew up on the Yuma Mesa, worshiped at Calvary Lutheran and

Christ Lutheran Church, attended school, and after countless football games and wrestling matches, holding office for Arizona State FFA as a star farmer, raising quality animals for 4-H, and nearly losing his left thumb in an accident that cost his shop teacher a 20 year safety award; Bruce graduated from Kofa High School.

Bruce attended Arizona Western College in Yuma, and then Cal Poly University in Pomona, California. When his dad, Eldon, suffered a serious heart attack in 1972, Bruce left school to come home to care for his parents and manage Paulsen Farms. He grew tons of alfalfa hay and tended large groves of lemon trees. Working together with his dad, his calling continued to be farming. Bruce was dedicated to growing the finest fruit and took pride in working with Associated Citrus Packers, and later for Limoneira as a Diamond level grower.

Bruce enjoyed supporting the youth of SAILA, served on the board of the Yuma Conservation Garden and the Mark Wilcox Memorial Scholarship board, and as an Elder for Christ Lutheran Church for many years. He was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International for his community service.

Witnessing the love of Christ through Cursillo, a spiritual renewal program, brought him closer in his walk with God. He enjoyed sharing his experiences, his trials, and his prayer life on many Cursillo teams, building fellowship and cultivating friendships with countless Christian brothers.

September 26, 1992, was a special and historic day when Bruce married his best girl, Cynthia Arnold Campbell. Pastor Roger Schalm officiated their wedding in the Chief Keokuck parlor car on the Grand Canyon Railway. Friends and family witnessed their ceremony and reception as the first couple to be married on the steam train between Williams and the Grand Canyon, Arizona. They would have celebrated 25 years of marriage this year.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia; the children they raised together, Jason Campbell of Yuma, Juliet Sullins (Allen) of Gilbert, Arizona and Joseph Campbell (Erin) of Anchorage, Alaska; his beloved mother, Myrtle Lenora Paulsen; sister Jane Reed (Steve) of Longwood, Florida; grandchildren Owen Paul and Ian Cole Sullins of Gilbert, Madalyn Aurora Campbell of Anchorage, Kylie Michelle Campbell of their home; nieces, Kirsten Reed of Atlanta, Georgia, and Caitlin Soldati (Steve) of Orlando, Florida; nephew, Scott Reed of Santa Barbara, California; and daughter of their hearts, Noemi Coria. Mr. Paulsen is also survived by the children of Yuma Lutheran School who shared their smiles and snacks, their questions and funny stories, their awkward hugs and high fives, their knotted shoe laces, and their Bible memory skills. Continue to sow your seeds of faith in Jesus Christ our Savior, and remember to be kind.

Bruce was preceded in death by his father, Eldon Vernon Paulsen.

Bruce lived his entire life on the Yuma Mesa growing wheat, peanuts, alfalfa and lemons. A man's greatest possession is his dignity and no calling bestows this more abundantly than farming. Hard work and honest sweat are the building blocks of a person's character. Farming, despite its hardships and disappointments, is the most honest and honorable way a man can spend his days on this earth.

This poem by Nancy Kraayenhof is dedicated to Bruce.

CLOSE THE GATE

For this one farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head,

Your time has been and struggles enough, put the tractor in the shed.

Years were not easy, many downright hard, but your faith in God transcended,

Put away your tools and sleep in peace. The trees have all been tended.

You raised a fine family, worked the land well and always followed the Son,

Hang up your shovel inside of the shop; your work here on earth is done.

A faith few possess led your journey through life, often a jagged and stony way,

The sun is setting, the lemons are picked, and here now is the end of your day.

Your love of God's soil has passed on to your kin; the stories flow like fine wine,

Wash off your work boots in the puddle left by blessed rain one final time.

You always believed that the good Lord would provide and He always had somehow,

Take off your gloves and put them down, no more sweat and worry for you now.

Your labor is done, your home now is heaven; no more must you wait,

Your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and we will close the gate.

A celebration of Bruce's life will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 2555 Engler Avenue in Yuma at 4:00 pm on Friday, February 3rd. Memorial donations in memory of Bruce may be made to the Christ Lutheran Church building fund.

Our heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses in the Radiology department at Yuma Regional Medical Center. Your kindness and compassion in all circumstances was a Godsend. To the nurses and caregivers on the 3rd floor who took such gentle care of Bruce during his stay, our sincere thanks.

Dr. Atilio Giangreco, and all your staff at the Cancer Center, you are truly dedicated Paracletes.

You embraced us as family and for your faith and trust in God, we will be forever grateful.

Caring Touch Home Care, your visits made him smile. Hospice Compassus, angels who allowed Bruce his wish to die peacefully at home.

Well done, good and faithful servants, all.

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria del Angel, Yuma, AZ.