Dr. Paul D. Lundgren, of Montevideo, died peacefully on Monday, December 30, 2013 at the St. Cloud Veteran’s Medical Center at the age of 88. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 11, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. at the Church of St. Joseph in Montevideo, with interment in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church
Paul Dewey Lundgren was born on June 28, 1925 in Minneapolis, MN to Dewey and Arlian (Hildebrand) Lundgren. He grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from Washburn High School in January of 1943. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in March of 1943, enrolling in the Aviation Cadet program at Michigan State. He was then sent to Lowry Field in Denver to enroll in the Central Fire Control school, where he became an expert computerized gunner on the B-29 bomber. In June of 1944, he was a member of a combat crew that was sent to Saipan to fly combat missions over Japan until the end of the war. He then flew supply drop missions to prisoner of war camps in Japan and mainland China, and was honorably discharged in March of 1946. Paul was proud that his father, brother, son and granddaughter all served in the U.S. military.
He enrolled in the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1951 as valedictorian of the first veterinary class established at the University. Paul worked for Dr. V. K. Jensen during the summers, and became a partner in the Montevideo Clinic following his graduation. He practiced veterinary medicine for 48 years in Montevideo.
He was united in marriage to Elizabeth (Bette) Roisen on January 15, 1955 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Minneapolis. They were blessed with one son, John.
While living in Montevideo, Paul and his family enjoyed 50 summers at their Green Lake cabin. Paul and Bette spent a number of winters in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
Paul was a faithful member of the Church of St. Joseph in Montevideo He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Lion’s Club, Knight’s of Columbus, NRA, Duck’s Unlimited, and the Minnesota and American Veterinary Medical Associations. As a member of the Montevideo Golf Club since his teen years, golf was a passion for he and his family. He served as club president, and as chairman of the grounds committee he was instrumental in building the flood control dike and purchasing the adjoining land for future course development. He won the Labor Day Tournament and Montevideo Club championship.
Paul loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter, and made many hunting trips to Canada and the western states. The Lac qui Parle area was very special to him.
He lived the last few years with Alzheimers Disease.
Paul is survived by his wife, Bette; a son, John (and Sonya) Lundgren of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; a granddaughter, Alexandra of the U.S. Naval Academy; grandsons Jack and J.C. Lundgren of Ponte Vedra Beach FL; a sister-in-law, Rita Lundgren of Denver, CO; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Roger Lundgren.