Paul E. Norden, 96, of Lexington, Nebraska, passed away Thursday, June 2, 2016, at Lexington Regional Health Center in Lexington.

Paul was born April 20, 1920, in Ansley, Nebraska, to Fred and Laura (Patrick) Norden. He was a 1936 graduate of Ansley High School.

He served his country during WWII in the United States Army. While in the service he received the American Defense Ribbon, WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, and the Purple Heart. It was during this time, while he was still in the service, that he married Lara Hansen, and to this union four children were born, Paulette, Gladys, Twyla, and Gerry. They later divorced. Paul then married Toni Ramirez on August 22, 1955, in Broken Bow, Nebraska. This marriage was blessed with two children, Paul “Punky”, Jr. and Vicky.

From 1955 to 1968 they owned a creamery in Eustis, Nebraska. They would sell the business and move to Lexington. He worked as a truck driver, and then had his own construction company which he ran until he retired.

Paul was a lifetime member of the American Legion, a Golden Eagle of the Eagles Club, and the Forty & Eight Club. He was also a member of the Calvary Assembly of God Church.

Paul is survived by his wife of 60 years, Toni Norden of Lexington, Nebraska; daughters, Gladys Thomas of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Twyla Browning of Collinsville, Oklahoma, Vicky (Lewis) Spuhler of Brady, Nebraska; son, Paul “Punky” Norden, Jr. of Oxford, Nebraska; sister, Delores Sale of Cozad, Nebraska; brother-in-law, Ivan Adle of Norfolk, Nebraska; grandchildren; Chad Spuhler of Kearney, Nebraska, Brooke (Josh) Dorn of Kearney, Nebraska, Cathy (Kevin) Underwood of Hurricane, West Virginia, Bill Thomas of Savannah, Georgia, Gerry Miller, Jr. of Chesapeake, West Virginia, Eric Miller of Charleston, West Virginia, Raymond Dixson of St. Albans, West Virginia, Scott Dixon of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and IJ Dixon, III of Hurricane, West Virginia; great-grandchildren, Courtney, Brice, and Ayden Underwood of Hurricane, West Virginia, as well as several other great-grandchildren; also surviving are nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Paulette; son, Gerry; sisters, Helen Whyte, Mary Thompson, Annabelle Adle, Kathryn Richards, Emma Norden, and Delsie Norden; and, brothers, Walt Norden, and Max Norden.

Funeral Services will be Monday, June 6, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Assembly of God Church in Lexington with Pastor Rex Adams officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in the Evergreen Cemetery at Lexington.
Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements.