Lynn Poulsen
January 20, 1921 ~ July 3, 2012
Lynn R Poulsen passed away on July 3, 2012 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. Lynn was born on January 20, 1921 to LeRoy and Lydia Poulsen in Rexburg, Idaho. He was the youngest of five children with two brothers, Harold and Earl, and two sisters, Estelle and Afton. He spent his early years in Mt. Pleasant, Utah and spent two years in the Utah Army National Guard, assigned to the 222nd Field Artillery Battalion, before being activated for combat duty in World War II. Lynn was stationed in Harford, England, when the German invasion of France began. In 1944 he was sent to Normandy and assigned as a forward observer to the 204th Field Artillery Battalion-part of the 20th Corps of Patton's 3rd Army. In Granville, France, Lynn was shot three times, but the hospital had so many casualties he had to be moved to a soccer field where he was placed in a six-man tent. While on the operating table, German aircraft bombed the area. The medical personnel fled and left him alone on the table. Luckily, his best friend, Bill Beck, rescued him from the bombing. For his service he received a Purple Heart American Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal and one of eleven Honorees recognized at University of Utah's Veterans Day Commemoration Celebration, November 11, 2011. He was very patriotic and proud of his military service.
Lynn married Gwen Pritchett on Oct 19, 1946 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. Marriage later solemnized in the Manti Temple, December 30, 1959. Lynn and Gwen were the proud parents of four daughters. Lynn spent the first years of his career as manager of Safeway stores, moving to Wendover in 1956 to manage the family owned Wendover Motel. Lynn and Gwen were very involved in church and community affairs. Lynn held many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including high councilman, counselor in bishoprics, scout leader, Bishop of the Wendover Ward and a Sealer in the Manti Temple. He was Justice of the Peace, Tooele County, Wendover City Judge, and Utah Highway Patrol Honorary Colonel. Lynn and Gwen retired to Mt. Pleasant, Utah in October, 1987. Lynn was a charming and engaging man with an exceptional sense of humor who loved life and loved sharing his experiences through humorous stories. He had a passion for the Western history and culture.
Lynn is preceded in death by parents, wife, daughter, Kaye Poulsen Despain, and grandson, Robert David Kikumoto.
He is survived by daughters, Nanette (David) Kikumoto, Greenwood Village, CO, Wendy (Michael) Linares, Draper, UT, and Becky Poulsen Longson, Denver, CO. 14 grandchildren, David, Anthony, Mollee, Aaron, Alicia, Charles, Hilary, Jordan, Joshua, Christian, Jared, Courtland and Nicholas, and 23 great grandchildren. We will miss you Dad. God be with you 'til we meet again.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Mt. Pleasant LDS Chapel, 295 South State, Mt. Pleasant, Utah at 12:00 noon. A visitation will be held on Friday, July 6, at the chapel from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. as well as Saturday, July 7, 10:30 - 11:45 p.m. Interment, Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Services under the direction of Rasmussen Mortuary.
