Music & Dance News September / October 2022 Page 15 Kenny Paulsen Obituary
Kenny died Sunday , July 10 , 2022 surrounded by family at the University of Iowa Hospitals , Iowa City . His passing came from complications from COVID that he contracted while in the hospital awaiting open heart surgery . Kenneth Ray Paulsen was born on November 2 , 1939 in Waterloo , Iowa , the oldest child of Arnold and Violetta ( Rabe ) Paulsen . Ken had a career in law enforcement for over 25 years starting with the Davenport Police Department and then the Scott County Sheriff ’ s Department including two terms as Sheriff . Kenny came from a family of musicians . The Ken Paulsen Orchestra started in 1966 but had been handed down through the family since 1917 . Ken ’ s grandfather , Emil , and three of his children traveled by horse and wagon playing dance jobs until 1934 when son Arnold ( Ken ’ s father ) moved to Waterloo , Iowa to play with a polka band called Moeller ’ s Accordian Band . Arnold served in World War II , and after the war started back in the music business with a six piece band . In 1966 Arnold and Ken , along with Von Crawford ( who arranged the music for Ken Paulsen ) started a polka band called Paulsen ’ s Dutchmen . In 1970 the band was changed to what it is today , a nine piece orchestra called the Ken Paulsen Orchestra . In 1977 the KPO was inducted into the Ballroom Dancers Big Band Hall of Fame . They have been traveling nationwide since 1988 . When he wasn ’ t working or playing with the KPO , Kenny enjoyed the outdoors especially when he was fishing , hunting or trap shooting . He loved his dogs and had many throughout his life , most recently his pal , Buddy . Survivors include his children : Julie ( Rex ) Lawrence , Davenport , Thomas ( Lynn ) Paulsen , Nashville , Tennessee , and Susan ( Jeff ) Grabau , Port Byron ; grandchildren : Nathan ( Meghin ) Lawrence , Nicholas ( Carly ) Lawrence , Sara Moon , and Kyle ( Ashley ) Moon ; and great-grandchildren : Aiden , Bodi , Presley , Gracie , River , and Everly . He was preceded in death by a grandson , Brandon Lawrence , his parents , and siblings Lloyd Paulsen and Lois Nadherny .