Michael James Pauly
Early Saturday evening on July 5, 2014, Michael James Pauly, age 62, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Shakopee. Family will greet guests on Wednesday, July 9 th , from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 833 South Marschall Road, Shakopee, MN. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, July 10, at 2 pm, with visitation one hour prior, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 313 West Second Street, Jordan, MN. Father Thomas Joseph will preside. Michael will be laid to rest at St. John Calvary Cemetery in Jordan, MN. Pallbearers will be his devoted children and loving family members.
In a small U.S. Naval Hospital, on the Mariana Islands of Guam, Michael was born on February 12, 1952, to parents, Sylvester M. and Virginia E. (Gray) Pauly. He was the fourth of six children. Shortly after being born, his family moved to Marystown, where he attended grade school at St. Mary of the Purification Catholic School. Michael and his older siblings have fond memories making trips to Lake O’Dowd, catching fish, and selling them to neighbors for a penny or two. In 1960, Michael’s family moved to Jordan, where he later graduated from Jordan High School.
Enlisting in the Unites States Air Force, Michael served his country during the Vietnam Era. He was a specialist in the Strategic Air Command, working on heating and air condition units. While touring, he gained a love for the country of Thailand, its culture, the people, the land, and the entertainment. Returning from the service, Michael lived life on the edge. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, traveling the country and having fun with people he encountered along the way.
For 17 years, Michael was married to Theresa Lipinski. Together, they were blessed with triplets, Matthew, Jacob and Chelsie. Three years later they welcomed their fourth child, Brittany. They have many great memories of being together. They loved spending time outdoors, playing sports, story telling and just enjoying conversations across a table. Some of their fondest memories are of holidays together where Michael really had a chance to express his creativity through fun gifts and games.
For most of Michael’s life he worked various jobs in warehouses, operating forklifts and performing leadership roles. These jobs allowed him to have the flexibility to watch his children on a regular basis. Due to a head trauma injury, Michael was faced with many hardships and challenges, but through it all he persevered and worked for MRCI in Shakopee for over 10 years.
Throughout life, Michael was amazing with his hands. He was an excellent mechanic and was creative in building things. Michael always had a love for the outdoors, riding motorcycles and in later years, enjoyed collecting antiques, searching for agates, and watching the birds and nature outside his apartment window at Huntington Apartments. He loved and enjoyed the company of the residents and worked side-by-side with many of them for years. In his free time, Michael enjoyed listening to music, creating dream catchers and nurturing houseplants. Within the last few years, Michael has been the proud grandfather to Nolan. He relished their time together, coloring, creating pictures and just being together.
Michael was a gentle, honest, understanding and genuine individual. He had a great sense of humor, creative mind and was very family orientated. He was very strong willed and had a strong sense of pride toward his family and his work.
Left to honor and celebrate Michael’s life are his children, Matthew, Jacob, Chelsie, Brittany and their mother, Theresa; grandson, Nolan Anthony; siblings, Dick (Beth) Pauly, Patricia (Lyle) Lambrecht, Thomas Pauly, Mary (Russ) Pauly-Tiegs, Susan (Jack) Schuman; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Michael home are his parents; Sylvester M. and Virginia E. Pauly.
