Paul Jennissen

Paul M. "Pitchfork" Jennissen, age 74 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at his home in Kandota Township, Todd County, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 1 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Tim Wenzel officiating and Rev. Sudhansu Kumar, O.S.B. concelebrating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be at 4 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Paul M. Jennissen was born October 8, 1943 in Getty Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Mathias and Margaret (Forster) Jennissen. He graduated from St. John's Preparatory School in Collegeville in 1961. Paul furthered his education at St. John's University in and 1962 and 1963, St. Cloud State University from 1963 through 1964, and the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland in 1967. On, August 14, 1965 he married Doris Jay at Sacred Heart Church in Staples. Paul served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, stationed in Tachikawa, Japan, where their first daughter, Jackie was born.

After returning from Japan, the couple farmed north of Sauk Centre from 1970 through 1979. Paul worked for Land O' Lakes for 24 years, retiring on June 10, 2003. After retirement, Paul enjoyed cutting the 26 acres of grass at the Stearns County Fairgrounds. During the winter, Paul and Doris enjoyed traveling to Florida, St. Lucia, Germany, and Ireland.

He was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre, Knights of Columbus, and served as Vice President of the Stearns County Fair Board and served on the Board of Directors. Paul maintained his friendships with his high school friends, the group officially identified as "The Legends of 61." Paul enjoyed riding horses, teaching aerobics, and running 5 and 10K's. Recently he participated at SNAP Fitness maintaining a healthy weight. Paul also participated in wrestling in high school and was first runner up for the State High School Catholic League.

Survivors include his wife, Doris Jennissen of Sauk Centre; children, Jacqueline (Gary) Bauer of Melrose, Christine (Michael) Smedberg of Concord, North Carolina, Paul (Heather) Jennissen of Fort Mill, South Carolina, Angela (Shawn) Gamradt of West Fargo, North Dakota, and Carrie Gutzwiller of Fort Mill, South Carolina; nine grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Marie Bagan, Eugene Jennissen, Sister Anita Jennissen, Margaret Schmiesing, Anthony Jennissen, James Jennissen, Rosalyn Miller, Joann Weber, David Jennissen, and Harold Jennissen; and many loving relatives and friends.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Jason Gutzwiller; brother, William Jennissen; and sisters, Caroline Weller and Agnes Ledermann.