Paul Shea
Formerly of Long Prairie and most recently Spring Park, passed away 5/28/22, after having turned 94 on 2/22/22.
Born in Lime Springs, Iowa, Paul grew up on an 80-acre family farm, attending Iowa State University in Ames before serving in the 11th Airborne (paratrooper) Division in Japan 1946-48. Later while farming 480 acres in North Dakota he met Gerry, who became his wife of 69 years. Finishing his B.S. degree at North Dakota State University in Fargo, he joined Minnesota Power & Light in Long Prairie in 1961 as an agricultural engineer. He was a published freelance writer and photographer on the side, with frequent bylines in The Farmer, Hoard's Dairyman, Farm Building News, Successful Farming and Outdoors magazines.
Paul proudly designed and built his family's home, the "Energy Miser." With 40 energy-saving features, building techniques and appliances, the house was decades ahead of its time. He recorded its energy uses for 32 years. Following his retirement, Paul, a Minnesota Certified Energy Auditor, independently audited houses and apartment complexes.
Retirement reignited his interest and involvement in 11th Airborne activities. Paul attended reunions and air shows, and helped research author Bruce Henderson's book "Rescue at Los Banos."
An avid fisherman, Paul spent untold evenings on Todd County lakes and led fly-in fishing trips to Canada as "Honourable Guide." He retrieved aluminum cans for recylcing, joking that the proceeds paid his youngest daughter and grandson's college tuitions. Paul was a longtime member of the Long Prairie Lions and a local poker club. He and Gerry taught ballroom dance through Long Prairie Community Ed.
Preceded in death by Gerry; parents William and Viola Shea; brother Tom Shea; and brothers-in-law John Hoffbeck and Francis Salter.
Survivors include son David Shea of Waconia; daughters Peg Shea (Joshua Weinstein) of Watertown and Kitty Shea of Minnetrista; grandson Charley Hagen of Duluth; sisters Helen Hoffbeck of Alpharetta, Georgia, and Anne Salter of London, Ontario; sister-in-law Jan Shea of Nazareth, Pennsylvania; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Celebration of life late July at Presbyterian Homes' Lake Minnetonka Shores senior living complex in Spring Park, with later interment at the Heaton Cemetery in Heaton, North Dakota.
Memorials in Paul's honor may be made to Let's Go Fishing at lgfws.com/support-lgf/ or 1025 - 19th Ave. SW, Willmar, MN 56201.