Paul Desens

Paul A. Desens, 84, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2022. There will be a private committal service held on Friday, February 18, 2022, in Christ Memorial Garden, at Christ Lutheran Church in Baxter, MN.

Paul was born to Edwin L. Desens and Marie Guette Desens on July 8, 1937, in Litchfield, MN. He attended Litchfield Highschool, St. Cloud State University, and the University of Minnesota. Paul served 5 years in the Minnesota Army National Guard. He married the love of his life, Laverne M. Miller, on October 10, 1959, in Atwater, MN. He was an engineer at Univac/Unisys Corporation in St. Paul, MN and Donaldson Company in Bloomington, MN. Paul was a pioneer in the 1960’s in the computer, robotics and packaging machinery industry. He started the packaging machinery, robotics, and engineering program at Hennepin Technical College in 1973. He also taught part time at the University of Minnesota, St. Thomas University in St. Paul, MN, and spent almost 2 years teaching for Purdue University in connection with the University of Malaysia. Paul and Laverne enjoyed their time in Malaysia and were able to travel to Australia and Thailand.

They lived for 45 years in their country home they built in Independence, MN. Paul and Laverne built a new home on their wooded lake property in Pequot Lakes, MN. 12 years ago. In their retirement they designed and built Adirondack log furniture and enjoyed selling at local art fairs.

Paul loved to be with people, he was kind, humble, generous with his gifts and time, loved by all and had a heart of gold. He always mentioned how he was “over blessed”.

God brought Paul to faith in Jesus and kept him in that strong faith which now results in eternal life in Heaven. He served as a church leader in various roles, supported Christian education by teaching and volunteering his time to both adults and youth. Paul and Laverne worked hard to put their children first as the 3 daughters attended K-12 Lutheran schools and college.

Paul is survived by his wife Laverne, daughter Pamela (John) Ruege, daughter Christine (Joel) Pankow, daughter Bethany (Paul) Backer, 5 grandchildren, Alyssa (Jimmy) Pautz, Benjamin (Suzanne) Ruege, Eric Pankow, Daniel Pankow, Megan (Seth) Willitz and 6 great grandchildren, brother Richard (Dorothy) Desens and 9 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Henry Desens.

Paul was the patriarch of our family, and he lives on in our hearts. He is in the arms of Jesus now and it is a blessing to know that we will all be reunited again someday just as God has promised and is smiling down on us with his bright sparkling eyes. His confirmation verse was Matthew 24:13 “but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”