Paul Thesenvitz

Paul Vernon Thesenvitz, 65, of Embarrass, MN, passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2019. Paul was born in Grand Rapids, MN on April 1, 1953 to Vernon and Eileen (Heller) Thesenvitz.  He graduated from Proctor High School in 1971 and joined the United States Air Force on December 27, 1972.  While in the Air Force he spent time in Michigan, South Korea, Idaho, and Las Vegas.  As luck would have it, he was stationed in Michigan with Tom Hampson. Tom’s sister liked to drive over from Sault St Marie, Michigan to visit.  They met in 1973, and on August 27, 1977, he married the love of his life, Dee Dee Hampson.  Right after they got married, they drove out to Las Vegas, Nevada where Paul spent 2 years stationed at Nellis Air Force Base.  After Nellis, he spent a year at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea.  When he returned home after Kunsan, he and Dee Dee truly began their life together.  They lived in Duluth, MN for many years where Paul worked for the United States Post Office.  They had two children, Laura and Danny.  In 1993, Paul accepted a position as the Postmaster in Embarrass, MN.  He was Postmaster for 23 years and everyone knew Postmaster Paul.  He was also blessed with an entrepreneurial spirit and owned several businesses over the years, including BW Canoe Company where he handmade cedar strip canoes.  He loved to learn and was always trying something new.  He also had a sneaky sense of humor.  You just never knew when something clever and hilarious would come out of his mouth.  Paul was a man of honor and integrity.  He was steadfast in his belief that you should always do the right thing.  He truly believed in the oath that he took when he joined the Air Force and carried that duty with him throughout his life.  Paul is preceded in death by his son, Daniel Paul, his parents, sisters Irene Scott and Ruth Foucault, and niece Tammy Neuman.  He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years Dee Dee, his daughter Laura (Jeff) Stella, grandsons Paul and Jack, sister Nancy (Jon) Kusler, brother Dale (Judith) Thesenvitz, and niece Kitty (Brad) Hofman, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.  Paul’s family would like to thank the staff at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital and Dr. James Montana of the Essentia Health Ely Clinic for their exceptional care and compassion.  Paul will be laid to rest at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Duluth, and a memorial service will be held later this year. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending memorial donations to the KI Sawyer Heritage Air Museum in Marquette, Michigan.  https://www.kishamuseum.org/donate.php