George and Clara (Skibicki) Smith proudly announced the birth of their son, Paul Raymond on April 27, 1931 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Paul grew up in Warren, MN; he lived in a small farming community.
He helped with tending the livestock and worked on the three family farms. Paul’s family also owned and operated a trucking company and sold wood, coal and ice at the family store in Warren for the community.
He attended a Catholic boarding school and later graduated from Warren High School. Enlisting in the United States Army, Paul proudly served in combat during the Korean War. Upon returning from the service, his life changed forever one evening on a blind date. Paul met a young lady named, Gloria Schenke and on November 8, 1954 in Hopkins, MN, they exchanged wedding vows.
For a year or so, Paul and Gloria owned and operated the Candy Chicks Store in Minneapolis, where they sold all sorts of confections. Paul then began a career as a machinist for Federal Stampings in Bloomington, MN. He worked in the field for the next 40+ years, later retiring from Holiday Circuits in Bloomington, MN.
In the fall 1957 Paul and Gloria moved their family to Crystal, MN; There they raised their 6 children, Marcia, Monica, Anthony, Terrence, Julie and Anita. There they spent the next 17 years in a friendly, close- knit neighborhood on 51st Street. As family and neighbors, they enjoyed many vacations traveling the western part of the United States while camping .The family spent countless hours together, snowmobiling and cruising around on the motorcycles, also, they, loved water skiing, fishing, swimming and just spending time in and near the water. Paul also loved hunting with his sons, especially for deer near Warren, MN.
In the summer of 1973, they packed up the family and settled down in Savage MN where they lived for the next 33 years. Paul enjoyed listening to his children singing and playing guitar. Passing down the love of camping and fishing to his children and grandchildren, he showed them the secrets of his favorite past times. Sunday during football season, he would sit and cheer on the Minnesota Vikings with his family. Paul also enjoyed watching western movies, with a tub of hot popcorn and a cold beer. After retiring, Paul and Gloria still traveled seeing the sights in the RV and enjoyed several ocean cruises with family.
In the summer of 2005 they bought a condominium in Prior Lake. They quickly settled in, developing many new and special friendships. He enjoyed the new found ease of life in his new condo, not having to upkeep his property to his high standards. He was a strong, dependable husband, father and grandfather. As a devoted Catholic, he taught his family good values and morals. At the age of 80, with family at his side, Paul passed away peacefully Monday October 17, 2011 at Fairview Ridges in Burnsville, MN.
Forever loved, Paul will be deeply missed by wife of almost 57 years, Gloria; children, Marcia (Sid) Richardson of Cottage Grove, Monica (Derrick) Chavez of Anaheim, CA, Anthony (Cherelyn) Smith of St. Anthony, Terrence (Laurel) Smith of Savage, Julie (Allen) Jensen of Hayward, MN, Anita (Ralph) Jensen of Lake Mills, IA; 18 grandchildren; 14 great –grandchildren; other loving relatives and dear friends. Paul is preceded in death by his parents, George and Clara; brother, Joseph Smith.
The pall bearers will be Corey Kinsman, Michael Chavez, Jason Smith, Randy Smith, Shawn Pehrson and Jesse Jensen.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, October 22 at 11 a.m., with visitation two hours prior all at the Church of St. Michael 16311 Duluth Street SE, Prior Lake. Full military honors provided by the Prior Lake Volunteer Rifle Squad. Private family inurnment will be held in Warren, Minnesota at a later date.
