Paul "PJ" Sunder

Paul “PJ” Sunder passed away peacefully with family by his side on March 27, 2025.

A Memorial Gathering will be held at Ridges at Sand Creek (21775 Ridges Drive) in Jordan on Monday, April 21, 2025 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM with a Remembrance Service at 3:00 PM. Paul will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Please wear your favorite Minnesota Sports Team apparel to honor PJ.

Paul James Sunder was born on February 12, 1933, to Joe and Isabelle Sunder. Paul was the youngest of four boys. He grew up in Jordan and attended St. John’s School and Jordan High School and then attended St. Thomas College where he studied Journalism. Journalism would have to wait because the family business came first. Paul worked at his dad’s general merchandise store (Sunder’s Store) taking over the business with his brother Rollie when his dad retired. Paul became the sole owner of Sunder’s Store in 1966, continuing to run the store with his wife Betty and 5 kids until it was sold in 1979.

Paul married Betty (Young) Sunder on August 16, 1958, and raised 3 sons and 2 daughters in Jordan, MN. Paul loved his family and always worked hard to provide a good life for them. Paul worked a few years for KSMM radio in Shakopee in sales and announcing play-by-play for baseball and softball. Next, he worked for Control Data until being named the Editor of the Jordan Independent newspaper in 1984. Paul was Editor for 11 years, retiring in 1995 but continued to write a weekly “Looking Back” column for the JI. PJ loved working part-time throughout his retirement at the Ridges Golf Course, and he made many wonderful friends out there.

Paul was very involved with his community including Jordan Community Theatre, Knights of Columbus, St. John’s Choir, Parks & Rec Commission, Lions Club and Commercial Club. Paul was instrumental in bringing the Heimatfest to Jordan and later was honored to be named Senior Royalty along with Betty in 2004. PJ volunteered his time to chaperone the High School Marching Band trips; he was always there to support the band and cheer them on. Of all the things Paul did for his community, he was most proud of being a member of the Jordan Volunteer Fire Department for 26 years.

Sports were very important to PJ too. Paul played baseball and basketball in High School and was a member of the Jordan Brewers baseball team. Paul co-chaired two MN State Amateur Baseball tournaments in Jordan, and he was instrumental in planning and hosting a Minneapolis Lakers Reunion. Paul also worked as the Statistician for Minnesota Fillies (the professional women’s basketball team).

Paul enjoyed time with his wife Betty and family at Sunder’s cabin in the Longville-Remer area on Island Lake where he enjoyed fishing, Sandy Beach and the outdoors. Paul was able to spend two different weeks up at the cabin last summer, enjoying pontoon rides around the lake at sunset. Paul also enjoyed annual hunting trips to the cabin with extended family members. His favorite thing to do up north was to take a “putt-putt around the lake” in the pontoon.

In his free time, Paul enjoyed gardening, golfing, reading, writing and talking sports. He was an avid chef known for making the most delicious sugar cookies and soups which he’d share with his family and friends. Paul also enjoyed traveling to visit friends and family. Although he had many hobbies and interests, above all else, Paul was a family-man. He loved spending time with his family and friends and was especially proud to be a grandpa and great-grandpa. His grandkids were truly the light of his life, and he adored them all.

Paul was a wonderful man. He will be remembered most for his service to his community and love for sports and his family. He consistently demonstrated kindness to others and shared his time and talents freely with others. He was truly one of a kind and will be missed.

PJ will be dearly missed and remembered by children, Pat (Kim) Sunder, Mike Sunder, Tom (Pam) Sunder, Paula (John) Nowariak, Mary Beth (Brian) Feltmann; grandchildren, Brittany, Natalie, Andy (Angie), Teddy (Cait), Tony, Tom (Ali), Krista, Gregg (Alinde), and Brandon (Caitlynne); great-grandchildren, Emma, Maia and Joshua; other loving relatives and devoted friends. Paul was greeted in Heaven by his loving wife, Betty Sunder; parents Joe & Isabelle Sunder; siblings Rollie (Viv) Sunder, Lee (Gert) Sunder, Len (Josephine) Sunder.

Paul’s family would like to extend a big thank you to Paul's caregivers, especially Dr. Monte Johnson, St. Francis Hospital, Suite Living-Shakopee and St. Croix Hospice.