Paul Westergard

Paul Westergard was simply an amazing man, a man of character, of love and of faith. He lived his life deliberately and with a sense of purpose, sharing his generosity and kindness with everyone who crossed his path. Paul was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, a devoted family man with a heart that always remained full of love. Throughout his life, he was continually guided by strong values, values that helped him make a lasting and positive impression on all the lives he touched. In 1918, life in the United States was very different from what it is today. Things such as women having the right to vote, long distance travel and communications, and workplace rights and safety were not realities. For Peter Jens Westergard and his wife, Mathilda Katrina (Paulson), living in Crow Lake Township, in central Minnesota, daily concerns were not of voting rights or workplace safety, but with providing a home for their family. Already the proud parents of six children: Elvina, Herman, Mabel, Martin, Walter and Lillie, on June 15, 1918, the couple welcomed the birth of their son, Paul Theodore. After the arrival of their eighth child, Justine, the Westergard household was complete. Pauls father, Peter, was a very hardworking family man with a deep faith in the Lord. The family lived on a farm, and Pauls parents made sure the children learned responsibility by pitching in with the farm chores. While Pauls mother kept the home running smoothly, his father did any and all kinds of work. He was instrumental in helping to run the first phone lines in the area. Paul was also instrumental in starting, sitting up and working at the Belgrade Creamery. Paul loved to tag along with his father, and even went to work with him on occasion. Farming is hard work and long days, but Paul and his siblings knew that Saturday was their fun day when they went to the Lawrence Welk dance in Minnesota. Sunday was always the Lords day and the Westergard house got up and faithfully went to church. Tragically, Pauls mother died unexpectedly when he was only 3 years old, leaving Peter to raise eight children on his own. He never remarried, but instead devoted his life to his children. Paul received his education in the area schools, and after graduating from Belgrade High in 1935, he went on to attend the American Business College in Minneapolis. Upon graduating ABC, Paul went to work at Pauls Inc. for 2 years, and then took a job at Winston-Newell Co., a wholesale grocer. Then, in January 1942, Paul followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He proudly served during World War II as part of the U.S. Submarine Unit out of Norwich, Connecticut, which patrolled the entire Atlantic coast. During this time, it wasnt usual for them to encounter a German U-Boat while on patrol. Upon his honorable discharge in 1945, Paul had attained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer, and remained in the Active Naval Reserve for about 4 years. It was during this time that Paul met the love of his life, Avis Pierce, and they were happily married in February 1945, in Hartford, Connecticut. The newlyweds made their home in Norwich and it was here that they welcomed the birth of their beautiful daughter, Donna Mae. After the war, the family of three moved back to Pauls home state of Minnesota, and settled in Duluth. Paul went back to work at Winston-Newell and they transferred him to Duluth to be the Assistant Manager at their Food Distribution Warehouse. He wasnt here long though before he and an associate, Fred Rogge, founded the Arrowhead Grocers in Duluth in 1946, which serviced the IGA retail stores in Northern Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin. After the merger of Gateway Foods and Arrowhead, Paul became the Vice President until his retirement. Time together as a family was always very important to Paul and Avis, and every 3 years they took a big family trip, visiting places like New York City, Washington, D.C., California and Chicago. They also enjoyed the ease and serenity at a rented cabin somewhere for about two weeks out of the summer. Paul was a wonderful father, devoted and attentive to his daughter. He supported her in all her school activities, but also instilled values in her that would guide her through life. Life only got better than Paul and Avis became grandparents to a beautiful granddaughter: Sarah. There were plenty of smiles and giggles in the air when Grandpa Paul was around. Just as Paul was getting ready to retire so he and Avis could travel more, tragedy struck. Paul lost his beloved Avis unexpectedly on August 5, 1981, after 36 years of marriage. Heartbroken, Paul decided not to retire and keep working, to keep himself occupied. In July 1982, Paul found love again when he met Ellen (Hakkarainen) Scott through some mutual friends. The two fell in love and were happily married on November 20, 1982. Just before Paul got married Paul was blessed with twin granddaughters, Rebecca and Katie. Paul retired the next summer on July 31, 1983, and the couple wasted no time packing their gear and heading out with their van and trailer for some major sightseeing around the U.S. In fact, they visited every state, except West Virginia, and even took some trips outside the states to Puerto Vallarta, Jamaica, Hawaii, Europe, the far East and the Canadian Rockies. Being retired also gave Paul more time to dote on his granddaughters. He loved to spend time with them, catching up on their lives and attending their school activities. One of their favorite memories together was when Paul took them to Branson, Missouri to the Lawrence Welk Theater and danced with them on stage. Outside of family, Paul was a longtime, founding member of the Concordia Lutheran Church in Duluth, standing member of both the AAD Shriners and Masonic Temple in Duluth, and a 45+ member in the Kiwanian, including the many years he lived in Sun City, Arizona. Paul lost his wife Ellen in 1998, after 15 years of marriage. A year later, he married Elda Ignatius, and they just celebrated their 10-year anniversary and Pauls 91st birthday. Paul and Elda were content living in Arizona and coming home to spend time with family and going to family events. Paul was a wonderful friend to many. His generosity and kindness touched all who knew him. The beautiful memories and love that Paul provided to everyone he touched will be missed and never forgotten. Paul always had a hole in his heart for his mother since he was so young when his mother passed away. The family is sure Paul has welcomed the reunion with his mother. Paul Theodore Westergard passed away on Tuesday, July 14, 2009, in Peoria, Arizona. He is survived by his wife, Elda Ignatius Westergard; daughter, Donna (Ernest) Stacy of Whitehall, MI; 3 granddaughters, Sarah Stacy, Rebecca Stacy and Katie (Jordan) VandeBunte; great grandson, Ethan Reynolds; several nieces & nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Concordia Lutheran Church in Duluth, MN. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in Pauls memory to Concordia Lutheran Church.