Stephen Paulsen

Stephen Paulsen, 85, of Beavercreek, Ohio passed away peacefully on February 9, 2026 with his loving wife of 37 years, Geraldine Paulsen, at his side. He was the son of the late Rudolph Paulsen and Dorothy Leech. He is survived by his son Scott (Julia) Paulsen (granddaughters Aleece Paulsen and Lindsey (Michael) Romero (great-granddaughter Lillyann)) and daughter Stacey Hermiston (grandson Zachary Hermiston and granddaughter Se Ann (Payton) Shoemaker). Stephen was the loving stepfather to Brian Kritzer (grandchildren Jake, Justin and Alexa), David Kritzer (grandchildren Connor, Carly and Alex), and Sandi Hartman (grandchildren Kaitlin, Emily and Molly).

Born on July 24, 1940 in Davenport, Iowa, Stephen’s life was marked by dedication to his family, faith, and profession. He pursued higher education at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where he began his journey toward a career in industrial engineering which was highlighted by consulting assignments with Carrier Global Corporation, Martin Marietta Materials, and Navistar. Known for his precision and problem-solving skills, Stephen brought integrity and thoughtful care to his professional endeavors.

Stephen also had a passion for sports and was an enthusiastic supporter of the Ohio State Buckeyes. He enjoyed bowling, playing pickup basketball, and riding bikes with his grandchildren.

A man of deep faith, Stephen was a devoted Catholic whose beliefs guided him throughout his life. He was a 25 year member of the Knights of Columbus Council #3724 and a parishioner of St. Luke’s Church. His compassion extended into the community through volunteer work at Soin Medical Center, ushering at Wright State basketball games and various events through the Knights of Columbus.

A funeral mass will be held on February 20, 2026 at Saint Luke’s Church, 1440 N Fairfield Rd., Beavercreek, OH with visitation from 9:30-10:30 a.m., followed by mass at 10:30 a.m. A private burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Dewitt, New York at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Hospital in Stephen’s name - www.stjude.org or by mail to St. Jude Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Mass Livestream: You can go to St. Luke's website, saintlukeparish.org From the website, click on the little "f" (Facebook icon) on the upper right side of the computer screen, scroll to 'Videos' on your Phone or 'posts' if on your desktop computer.