Memories of Grandpa Paul

Grandpa often told us, his grandchildren, how special we were and how proud he was of us.  We would like to share some memories of Grandpa to let you know how special he was to us and how proud we were of him.

We hope we can be as sweet and genuine as you always were --

One of, Kaitlyn’s, favorite memories of Grandpa, is when she first heard him speak Norwegian. Of course one of the few things he remembered was "pretty girl."  He kept that for Grandma. This is also reminiscent of the numerous times he complimented Kaitlyn, saying how beautiful she was. For her it wasn't what he said, but how he said it. His compliments were always said with genuine love.

She wasn’t the only one who remembers similar things.  He always told us, his granddaughters, that we were the prettiest girls. He always made us feel pretty and loved.

Melissa remembers Grandpa and Grandma at the Mall and how Grandpa would say he was watching all the pretty girls walk by and some of them happen to be his granddaughters.

Ambe, who worked at the Care Center where was he staying, remembers he would always ask when she was going to be coming back to work. She would tell him and he would say “I’m gonna look forward to seeing you again”. She remembers bringing him his brunch. He always had French toast with lots of maple syrup and oatmeal with lots of syrup that made it look like syrup soup. Also, at Easter, at her Grandma Jo and Grandpa Paul’s, he made the comment he missed her and asked when she was coming back to work, because she hadn’t been there since Friday.

Grandpa liked to share with us the story of how he met Grandma on the streets of Mabel on the 4^th of July.  He took an interest in hoping we would find a similar kind of love.

Nick remembered every time he visited Grandpa always asked about how many girlfriends he had. He started asking when he was about 9. He would give pointers on how to get one all the time.

Sherrie remembers Grandpa sharing about him taking Grandma to the movies instead of out dancing because of two reasons.  One, he didn’t like to dance and two, he didn’t want any other guy taking Grandma away by dancing with her.

One of my memories of Grandpa was one of the times he stopped at the office where I was working and he was waiting for Grandma to get her hair done. It was when I was going through my divorce and Grandpa said “so you don’t like him anymore?” I said, not really, Grandpa. I told him that I wanted someone like him, I wanted the relationship that him and Grandma had. That put a big smile on his face!  They were truly blessed to have each other and I know that we all feel very blessed to call them our grandparents. They have always meant to be together.

We loved the way you reminded us that our parents were kids once too, or still kids in your eyes.

Josh remembers sitting out at the farm with Grandpa and that little dog armed with the bb gun watching over his flock of sheep trying to keep the coyotes away.   And he remembers the look Grandpa gave his dad when he told Grandpa his dad was popping wheelies with his tractor when we got round bails.

We remember the story you told us of how your older sons would torture their younger sister by telling her she was adopted or how they tried to electrocute her.

We hope we can be as strong and healthy for as long as you were. 

Sherrie remembers being amazed, and a little scared, at how you would be able to go in the pen and chase the cows and/or bull into the trailer.  You really enjoyed hauling cattle.

Grandpa was tough, Richard remembers helping milk cows, watching him carry those milk cans up and down the aisle thinking he would never be that strong. And as he visited with Grandpa this past winter, he still and always will believe that.

Some of us remember you taking us on a day long hike through the woods and across streams to the Cabbage Rocks when you were in your 70s.

Or the time that little Ashley fell into the creek outside the Sons of Norway Hall at Christmas and you were the first one outside to rescue her.

Or being able to get on the roof to fix something in your 80s.

We hope we remember how important it is to take time, like you did, to celebrate, enjoy life and be with family.

We remember Grandma and him going to many parades, going to listen to bluegrass music, going to family picnics and going out to dinner with friends.

We remember all the holidays at the farm house when we were younger, at Good Earth Village for many years, or more recently, even this Christmas, in Chatfield.   And we remember the many summer family get-togethers at the farm, often involving baseball games.

Shane, the youngest grandchild, remembers sitting with you and watching America’s Funniest Home videos.

A memory Sheila and Bonnie will always carry with them, and are so grateful for, is being able to spend this last Easter with Grandpa. It was a pleasant surprise for them to arrive at their parents and hear his voice. They had a great time listening to stories and he really enjoyed watching the great grandkids play.  He commented on how Brayden must really keep Sheila moving.

We hope we remember to respect those that have passed on before us.

Becky remembers going with you to the Choice cemetery, where your grandparents are buried, and Henrytown, where Grandma, her parents, grandparents, and great grandparents are buried.  She also loved all the stories you shared of the past.

Both Grandpa and Grandma were always so proud of their grandchildren and children.  They felt family was very important and enjoyed telling others stories of their family and their new family members.  Thank you for letting us share some stories of them with you today.  We love you Grandpa.