Paul E. Johns, 71, of Mankato, died on Friday, March 27, 2009 at his home. Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at Christ the King Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Thursday. In lieu of flowers please give memorials to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, VINE, or to the donor's choice. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Paul was born to Erwin and Adeline (Westerberg) Johns on June 26, 1937, in Flint, MI. The family moved to Willmar in the mid 1940's. Paul graduated from Willmar High School in 1955. He then studied at Pasadena City College in CA for a short time before joining the Navy. He served for two years beginning in the fall of 1955 on the USS Chara. After an honorable discharge, Paul enrolled at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter and graduated in 1961. He was united in marriage to Phyllis Kamman on April 10, 1960. Paul began his career at NW Bell Telephone Company in Minneapolis. They then moved to Wayzata and he worked part time at the Playhouse Toy Co. eventually becoming a full time employee. In 1979 he and his family moved to Mankato and Paul worked for GTO Electronics in St. Peter until multiple sclerosis forced his retirement in the late 1980's. Paul and Phyllis traveled the world for both business and pleasure. Paul was a member of the Wayzata Jaycees and served as President of Rotary in St. Peter. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, traveling, golf, racquet ball, and sports. Paul is survived by his wife, Phyllis of Mankato; three daughters, Lyn (Kris) Donahue of Minnetonka, Leanne Schmidt of Cloquet, and Laurie (Randy) Gateb of Apache Junction, AZ; four grandchildren, Amber Schmidt, Jessica and Makena Gateb, and Kale Donahue; sister, Diane (Bill) Beck of Yuma, AZ; one niece, two nephews, cousins and friends. Paul was preceded in death by his parents.
Published in the Mankato Free Press from 3/29/2009 - 3/30/2009