A memorial service for Paul Laursen will be held Saturday, August 20 at 11 a.m. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
Paul Herbert Laursen, 82, died Tuesday, August 2, 2011. He was born March 28, 1929 to Ejvind and Jacobina (Johnson) in Ord. He graduated from Dana College in Blair. He served in the United States Army during the Korean conflict, and earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from Oregon State University. After his marriage to Gail Thompson in 1959, he accepted a faculty position at Nebraska Wesleyan University as Professor of Organic Chemistry. While at NWU, he was chair of the Chemistry Department, chair of the Science Division, academic dean and provost. He retired in 1993.
Paul's joy was teaching both in the classroom and in the field. He thoroughly enjoyed hearing from and seeing former students throughout their careers.
Among Paul's affiliations were the Dana College Board of Regents, Nebraska Academy of Sciences, American Chemical Society, Sigma XI, American Legion, Sertoma, and Habitat for Humanity. He served the ELCA on various national boards and in area lay positions, as well as in Our Saviour's Lutheran Church.
Memorials can be directed to the Schafer and Laursen Scholarship Fund at Nebraska Wesleyan University, 5000 St. Paul Ave., Lincoln, Neb. 68504.