Richard (Dick) Poulson, age 83, of New Ulm, MN passed away on May 5, 2026 after a brief illness.

A memorial service of remembrance, officiated by Pastor Tim Anderson, will be held at Christ the King Church in New Ulm, MN on June 27, 2026, at 11 am, with a one-hour visitation beginning at 10 am. Burial will take place at a later date at Lakeside Cemetery in Fairmont, MN. Arrangements are being handled by Minnesota Valley Funeral Home. Military Honors will be provided by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard.

Richard was born in Truman, MN on January 27, 1943, to Floyd and Sylvia (Dorothy) Poulson. He was privileged to be raised on a farm in Nashville Township, Martin County with four older brothers and one younger sister. He started his education by attending a local rural school. After kindergarten, he started first grade at Granada Elementary School and graduated from Granada High School in 1961. Following high school graduation, Dick worked locally until January 1962 at which time he joined the United States Air Force. While he was in the Air Force he married Elaine Lehman, a farming girl he met through friends. From then on she was by his side for over 63 years, sharing his life every day; working, playing, and raising their family.

He was first stationed at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, KS upon completion of basic training and spent the rest of his time at the McCoy Air Force Base in Orlando, FL. After returning to Minnesota, he worked for several years in the Fairmont area and started his salesman career in 1968 with Farmers Insurance Group in New Ulm, MN. Dick's entrepreneurial spirit led him to be involved in many businesses over the years. He sold real estate with Joe Broich Agency of Sleepy Eye, MN and then partnered with him to build 40 homes in the New Ulm and Sleepy Eye area while bringing the Century 21 franchise to the area. He operated Century 21 Today Realty in New Ulm for many years. During that time, he became a partner in the Three R-D Partnership which owned and operated residential rentals and warehousing. He continued to sell insurance with Key City Insurance of Mankato after he retired from Farmers Insurance Group until he fully retired at age 79. Over the years he maintained many friendships with clients and colleagues, valuing each and every one of them.

As Dick began to cut back on work projects, he dedicated time to helping those in need of an extra hand. He befriended many individuals and assisted them by providing rides to doctors’ appointments or to local stores, helping them read their mail and pay their bills. He continued to provide help by being a volunteer driver for Brown County Heartland Express and New Ulm Meals on Wheels for many years. Recently, he joined DAV and found fulfillment and friendship with them. He dedicated 20 years as a disaster volunteer for the American Red Cross locally and nationally, spending many weeks in numerous states, helping with national disasters that affected many people's lives. Dick lived a full and rich life by giving to others as he would also do for his family.

Dick enjoyed hunting and fishing trips over the years with friends. He and Elaine loved to travel and were able to experience the wonders of America, Europe, Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean Islands. One of his greatest joys was spending many years in Mexico during the month of January, celebrating his birthday. Their most treasured trip was to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji to celebrate their 50th anniversary. He would have loved to travel everyday if possible.

Richard (Dick) Poulson will be truly missed by his family. Surviving him are his beloved wife of 63 years, Elaine Lehman Poulson; his son, Jeffrey Poulson, and his wife Michelle; his daughter, Wendy Lindberg; his granddaughter, Morgan Ringhand, her husband, Alex, and their two children, Mason and Abigail; his grandson, Austin Poulson, and his wife, Danielle Olson; and many nephews and nieces and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Sylvia Poulson; his infant daughter, Tara Le; his brother, Donald Poulson and his wife, Diane; his brother, LeRoy Poulson, and first wife, Alice, and second wife, Judy Poulson; his brother Duane Poulson, and his wife, Evelyn; his brother, George Poulson, and his first wife, Audrey; and his sister, Joyce Moeller, and her husband, Roger.