Paul W. Holmlund, age 91, of Prior Lake, MN, formerly of Brooklyn Center, MN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at his home at McKenna Crossing.
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, March 27, 2023, at 11 am, with a visitation from 10-10:45 am, at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 North Berens Road NW, Prior Lake. Pastor Karen Treat will preside with grandchildren acting as urn bearers. Paul will be laid to rest at Acacia Cemetery, in Mendota Heights, MN. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in his memory by the family.
Paul Warren Holmlund was born at home on March 4, 1931, in Canby, MN, to Peter and Ella (Skjonsby) Holmlund. The third son and eighth child, he was baptized and confirmed at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Canby.
Paul graduated from Canby High School in 1949 and on March 17, 1952, enlisted into the US Air Force, during the Korean Conflict. He served as a cryptographer at the First Radio Squadron attached to the U.S. Air Force Security System in Misawa, Japan. Returning to the states in July of 1954, Paul served in the Air Defense Command as the director of the cryptographic center at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, MT, until he was honorably discharged on March 16, 1956.
Paul went on to graduate from Minnesota School of Business and Metro State University. He was first employed as a public accountant, then served 29 years as the director of finance for the City of Brooklyn Center. Paul retired in 1993.
On July 11, 1952, Paul was united in marriage to Shirley Theone Mohr of Canby, at the Champagne Chapel, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, in Cheyenne, WY. After returning from military service, they lived first in Minneapolis and then in Brooklyn Center for 35 years. Paul and Shirley were the proud parents of two precious daughters, Kathy and Julie. After retiring in 1994, they then moved to Burnsville, MN.
Through the years, Paul had a devoted and faithful heart, as an active member of Cross of Glory Lutheran in Brooklyn Center, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, MN and currently at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake. He also supported his community, active in Brooklyn Center Rotary and served as its president in 1990-1991. Paul extended his support as the President of the Minnesota Government Finance Officers Association from 1969-1975.
Paul experienced many challenges throughout life, but losing his daughter Julie on March 21, 2004, after a courageous six-year battle with breast cancer and the passing of his wife, Shirley on December 3, 2008, was extremely hard to bear. With his strong faith in God, Paul continued to live and carry on their legacy.
Paul is forever loved by daughter, Kathy (Dick) Bellew; grandchildren, Brendan (Amy) Bellew, Anne (Antonio) Lombeida, Laura (Connor) Bonazzola, Kelly Fox, Sarah Fox; great grandchildren, Julian Bellew, Isaac Lombeida, Alara Lombeida: sister-in-law, Darolene Holmlund; other relatives and friends.
Greeting Paul home in Heaven are his wife, Shirley; daughter, Julie Fox; parents, Peter and Ella; siblings, William Holmlund, Ellsworth (Mildred) Holmlund; Lucille (Waldemar) Hoseck, Bernice (Lloyd) Moravetz, Lois (Ernest) Luri, Phyllis (Richard) Olsen, and Ruth (Ray) Johnson.
