Rev. Dr. James V. "Jim" Poulsen

The Rev. Dr. James V. “Jim” Poulsen, 75, of Des Moines died Saturday, April 21, 2007, at Fleur Heights Care Center. The Memorial Worship Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at Grace United Methodist Church, 3700 Cottage Grove, with the Reverend Bill Steward officiating.
Dr. Poulsen was born February 13, 1932 in Melcher, Iowa to Jens and Lillian (Tapscott) Poulsen. He married Marilyn Brubaker of Knoxville, Iowa on July 20, 1952. They had three children, Julia, James “Jamie,” and Edward “Ted.” Jim adopted Richard in 1983. Jim married Judith Harms on May 27, 1994 in Spirit Lake. James graduated from Melcher/Dallas High School in 1950. He attended Simpson College, graduating in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts, and earned his Masters of Divinity in 1960 from Garrett Evangelical Seminary, Evanston, IL. Jim received an honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1976 from Rust College, Holly Springs, MS, for years of service on the board of trustees and as an advocate for the college. Simpson College awarded him a second honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1984. He received the Francis Asbury Award in 1995, which is an award given in recognition of fostering United Methodist Ministries in Higher Education. Lastly, Jim received the Humanitarian Award, a distinguished alumni award from Simpson College.
Dr. Poulsen was the Chairman of the Rust College Board of Trustees, the Chairman of the Iowa Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry, and served on several District Committees of Ordained Ministry as either chairman or secretary. Among other positions he held, he was the Chairman of the District Committee on Superintendency, directed seven Jr. High Camps, served on the District Board of Church Location, was the President of the Storm Lake Ministerial Association as well as the Storm Lake Arts Council, and served a number of times as Chaplain of the Council Bluffs Rotary Club.
Dr. Poulsen served several churches during his career including: Lacona/Liberty Center, Seneca, IL, West Burlington, West Burlington/Oak Grove, Monroe/Tool’s Chapel, Council Bluffs-Epworth, Grandview Avenue in Dubuque, Storm Lake, Council Bluffs-Broadway, Spirit Lake, Manly/Bolan, and Des Moines Wesley/Bloomfield.
Dr. Poulsen is survived by his wife Judy of Des Moines; his children, Rev. Julia E.F. Poulsen (Rev. Dennis A.P. Fox) of Washington, IA, James (Lori) Poulsen, III, of Des Moines, Edward “Ted” (April) Poulsen of Des Moines, and Richard Poulsen of Kansas City, MO; his step-children, Monty Warthen of Salisbury, MD, Gloria Warthen of Ellicott City, MD, and Amy (James) Warthen Williams; and his ten grandchildren, Isaac and James Fox-Poulsen, Christopher and Elise Poulsen, Robert Zortman, Lillian, Annalyn, and Steffen Poulsen, Evan Warthen, and Jakob Williams. He is also survived by his sister, Wanda Garrett, of Sumter, SC. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Virginia Eilers, of Renwick.
Memorial contributions may be given for the benefit of Rust College c/o Grace United Methodist Church, 3700 Cottage Grove, Des Moines, Iowa 50311.

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