After a full life of over 100 years, Paul Ginder, born January 1, 1924, died peacefully on March 25, 2024, in Mankato, MN. Paul grew up on a farm near McIntyre, IA, one of seven children born to Rose and Peter Ginder. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp on February 2, 1946, and served as an airplane mechanic until his honorable discharge on August 31, 1947. Paul primarily was stationed at Westover Field in Chicopee, MA, during his enlistment where he worked on aircraft participating in the Berlin airlift. One highlight of his later life was the opportunity to make a VIP visit to Washington, D.C., as part of the Honor Flight Network for WWII veterans. After his army service, he returned to farming in the McIntyre area. One fall evening, shortly after returning to farming, Paul met the lovely Jeanne Cress at the Terp Ballroom in Austin, MN. Less than a year after their first dance, they married – a union that lasted over 62 years until Jeanne’s death. Together they raised a family of seven children: Peter (Geri), Andrew (Karen), Mark (Deborah) both deceased, Jerry (deceased), Teresa Richter (Bob), Rosemary Sexton (Terry) and Mariana Ginder (Michael Goblirsch).

After the birth of their first two children, Paul and Jeanne moved to Austin where they were faithful members of Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Paul spent most of his career working in construction, specializing in cement work and operating heavy equipment. He took pride in his work and would often drive his family around pointing out the projects on which he had worked. Despite often working two or three jobs at a time, Paul found time to go to his kids’ sporting or theatrical events, play catch or, in later years, escape with a few friends or family to Canada for fishing. In 1984, a few years before he expected to retire, he experienced a serious, disabling work accident which caused him to be hospitalized for nine months. After he recovered, Paul and Jeanne moved to Madison Lake, MN, where they joined All Saints Catholic Church. At the lake, he fished and tinkered with wood working projects. We all have a trivet or clackers game from his work bench. Despite some lasting physical limitations and ongoing pain, he maintained a positive attitude and never complained. He could fix anything or figure out an easier way to accomplish a task. He could be a bit of a perfectionist: his children joked that when working with Dad- it was the Ginder way or the wrong way. He was a master cribbage player to the end, counting points faster than opponents half his age. Paul was devoted to his Catholic faith, loved his family and exemplified hard work and loyalty for his children.

Besides his children, Paul leaves behind 19 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his brothers Richard, Roger and Clarence and is also survived by his brother Vernon Ginder and sisters Marie Donner and Sr. Edna Ginder and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are being handled by Woodland Hills Funeral Home of Mankato. A funeral mass will be celebrated at All Saints Church in Madison Lake, MN, at 11am Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the mass.