Paul H. Wermerskirchen, 90

Paul H. Wermerskirchen, of Jordan, passed away peacefully at home on September 22, 2018, at the age of 90.  A visitation will be held on Friday, September 28, 2018, from 3-7 p.m., at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home in Jordan.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2018, at 12:30 p.m., with visitation one hour prior at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan.  Father Neil Bakker will preside.  His grandsons will act as pallbearers.  Military honors will be provided by the Jordan Vets Honor Guard and Paul will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan.  Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Paul's memory by the family.

On April 17, 1928, in Belle Plaine Township, Guido and Lena Wermerskirchen celebrated the birth of their son, Paul Henry.  He was the youngest of seven children growing up on the family farm in Jordan, where Paul developed a strong work ethic.

While attending a dance at Spring Lake Ballroom, Paul met the love of his life, a dark haired Irish gal from Lakeville, Marilyn LaVelle.  Because of Paul's service in the U.S. Army they had a long distance courtship for 2 years.  On November 6, 1951, they were married at All Saints Catholic Church in Lakeville.

Paul proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953 in 199th Combat Engineers. After being honorably discharged in 1953, they settled on the Wermerskirchen homestead in Jordan.  While farming he joined the I.B.E.W. Local 292 as an electrician.  Paul continued to farm and work in the Minneapolis area as an electrician.

Paul was an active member in the American Legion, the Jordan Vets Honor Guard, New Prague Sportsmen's Club and the Knights of Columbus.  He volunteered for many years delivering Meals On Wheels as well as many other Jordan committees.  Paul was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Church and active in the parish.

Paul had a heart nearly as big as his hands!  Laughter, hugs, kisses, thoughtful gifts (who doesn't need a little cash every now and then) and joyful tears were never in short supply.  Whether he was having a conversation about "how many tenths of an inch of rain did you get last night" or planning a large family reunion, Paul's family was his pride and joy and they all knew they were loved.

Paul never went anywhere without knowing someone and he had an uncanny knack of finding a connection to everyone he met.  When a stranger crossed Paul's path, they were not a stranger for long and he made everyone feel welcome.

Part of Paul's charm was the perpetual twinkle in his baby blue eyes and the permanent smile on his face.  Paul always knew when his wonderful hugs and kisses were most needed.  Paul was also known for his wonderful sense of humor.  Paul's German heritage was of the utmost importance to him.  In retirement, Paul and Marilyn connected with the remaining relatives in Germany.  They traveled to Germany where he also had a successful swine hunt with his relatives.  Fishing and hunting were VERY important to Paul and he never missed an opportunity to participate in many hunting and fishing trips.  Another passion of Paul's was playing in many different card clubs.  He also enjoyed many army reunions throughout the United States.

Paul will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 66 years, Marilyn; children Michael (Cindy), Bruce (Cheryl), Connie (Kevin) Welch, Mark (Jody Fischer) and Lori (Ron) Lambrecht; grandchildren, Brian (Tory) Wermerskirchen, Ben (Emily) Wermerskirchen, Nathan Wermerskirchen, Justin (Honor) Welch, Paula (Robert) Terdal Moe, Erin (Chris) Gomez, Ryan Wermerskirchen, Kevin Wermerskirchen, Jamie (David) Bloom, Samantha (Justin) Hanson, Max Lambrecht; great-grandchildren Zach Wermerskirchen, Alex Wermerskirchen and Ilona Wermerskirchen and Owen Bloom; sister, Julianne Carpentier; in-laws Myrna Wermerskirchen, Montse LaVelle, Greg (Dianne) LaVelle; many relatives and friends.

Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Guido and Lena; siblings, Walter (Evelyn), Viola (Art) Deutsch, Roman (Ruth), Melvin (Loretta), Ralph; and brother-in-law Roger Carpentier.

Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home proudly serves the Wermerskirchen family.  www.ballardsunderfuneral.com.