Paul Eugene Crowell, age 83, of Jeffers passed away on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Society Sogge Memorial in Windom.
Paul Crowell was born on August 19, 1938 to Lincoln and Blanch (Messenbrink) Crowell in Windom, MN. He was baptized shortly after birth at the Methodist Church in New Ulm, MN. In 1951, he was confirmed at the Methodist Church in Windom, MN.
Paul married Donna Nickel on July 30, 1960 at Red Rock Evangelical United Brethren Church in Germantown Township, rural Sanborn, MN. They became parents of five children: Debra, Darla, Alan, Denise, and Deanne.
Paul and Donna lived on a farm in Dale Township, Cottonwood County, rural Windom, MN and farmed until January, 1968 when they moved to a farm in Dale Township, near Jeffers, MN. Six years later, in 1974, they purchased that farm. Paul and Donna farmed and were good stewards of the land. They retired from farming in 2001. When they retired from farming, they retained Paul's semi-trailer grain truck and established and operated Paul Crowell Trucking. Paul entered full retirement in 2010 and continued to enjoy his family. Through the years, he also operated a corn shelling business for several years, worked as a service station attendant and mechanic, worked at the co-op elevator in Windom, MN in the grain feed and seed departments and managed the feed mill department.
On October 3, 1956 Paul enlisted in the Army National Guard and served for six years. He took basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, followed by food service school at Fort Hood, Texas. He then received advanced cook training with the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas.
Paul's discharge was scheduled for October 3, 1962. Due to the Cuban Missile Crisis with Russia, discharges after October 1, 1962 were delayed for one year, resulting in his honorable discharge being deferred until October 3, 1963.
He earned the status of Company Section Chief in food service with a rank of Sergeant First Class E6. Battalion staff appointed him to oversee two companies of cooks at Guard camps during summer training sessions. He received a sharpshooter medal with the 30 caliber M1 Rifle, the 30 caliber Carbine, and the browning automatic rifle. Paul and his cooks won battalion awards for performance at camps several times and they took deep pride in earning that award.
Paul served on many boards and committees including the advisory committee for South Central Electric Association, Dale Township Clerk and Supervisor, Jeffers Co-op Elevator Director, Southwest Grain Terminal Director and Red Rock United Methodist Church Council. He was a very busy man, but in his free time Paul enjoyed camping, his children's sports and activities and McDonalds fellowship in their retired years.
Paul moved into the Good Samaritan Society, Mountain Lake on July 6, 2020. Later that year, he moved into the Good Samaritan Society Sogge Memorial in Windom on November 2, 2020.
Paul is survived by his wife of 61 years, Donna of Jeffers, MN; daughters, Debra (Dean) Schroeder of Windom, MN; Darla (Todd) Deutchman of Windom, MN; Denise Hansen of Windom, MN; Deanne (Steven) Cogdill of New Underwood, SD; 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, Brittany (Adam) Koch, Sullivan and Finley; Shantel (Nick) Peterson, Ethan and Jaelynn; Erin (John) Anderson; Joel (Stephanie) Deutchman, Troy, Tesla and Ezra; Cody (Jasmin) Hansen, Blayne; Cortney Hansen; Autumn Cogdill; and Colton Cogdill; brother, Earl (Vonette) Crowell of Jeffers, MN; sister-in-law, Julie Crowell of Windom; sister, Etta (Gary) Mather of Eagan, MN and sister-in law Susan Nickel of Mt. Lake; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Lincoln and Blanch Crowell; son, Alan (2014); brother, Leon Crowell; niece, Sherilyn Crowell; father-in law and mother-in-law, Arnold and Elsie Nickel and brother-in-law, Dale Nickel.
Blessed be the memory of Paul Crowell.