Herbert Lester Poulsen, age 86, died on November 20, 2016, in Lawrence, KS.
Visitation is scheduled for Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 10am with memorial service & Military Honors immediately following at 11am at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
Herb is survived by his wife Janet Poulsen, of Lawrence, KS, his sons, Keith Poulsen (Christy), Eric Poulsen, of Lawrence, KS; his daughters, Pam Kincaid (Steve) of Lawrence, Cindy Merkel (Pete) of Mooresville, NC and his grandchildren, Kevin Calton, Courtney Hill (Ethan), Alexandra Kincaid, Kara Poulsen, Katrina Poulsen, Brad Kincaid, Kyndall Merkel and Grant Merkel.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert Lester and Margaret Michels Poulsen of Northbrook, IL; his sisters, Margaret Miller, of Barrington, IL, Dorothy Johnson, of Pullman, MI and Donna Christensen, of Pullman, MI.
Herb was born on August 16, 1930 in Chicago, IL. He served in the Navy on a minesweeper during the Korean War and maintained friendships with his fellow service men up until his death. He attended Valparaiso University in Indiana with a focus on mechanical engineering. Herb worked for Aeroquip/Eaton, for over 30 years as a quality control manager and plant manager.
He was a great family man and a loving father. He married Janet Ethel Drum, August 20, 1960, after meeting her on a blind date in college.
Herb was a social, active man who was deeply involved in many volunteer organizations including Kiwanis, where he was instrumental in building over twenty-five wheel chair ramps and many houses for Habitat for Humanity. He enjoyed carpentry, woodworking, canoeing in the BWCA, traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Wanted to let you know that I was sad to hear about Herb’s passing. He was a great man. I didn’t know him that well but always enjoyed his company and stories. Sorry I couldn’t be there but I will be thinking of you!
To the Poulsen Family ,I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept my families condolences at this sad time.
Aunt Jan, Pam, Keith, Eric and Cindy,
We’re so saddened to hear of Uncle Herb’s passing. Over time our families have grown out of touch, and we haven’t seen each other every Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day like the good old days. But time hasn’t dimmed my favorite memory of Uncle Herb and my dad (Uncle Vic) on opposite sides of the volleyball net- teaching us cousins backyard volleyball “rules” and “friendly” competition. And I remember the pig roast at the house in Wauconda and when the uncles shot off fireworks in the orchard on July 4th. From a niece’s point of view, Uncle Herb was such a fun uncle, and a wonderful conversationalist. Our thoughts are with you. Love to you and your families. Love, Jen and Bill Ventura
Dear Jan, Pam, Keith, Eric and Cindy,
I’m so sorry to hear about your husband and father. Knowing all of you as I did, he had to have been a wonderful man. I pray that God’s peace and the love of friends will be of some comfort to you now and in the days and months to come. God Bless, Eric