Jesse E Pahl

Jesse E. Pahl, age 103, passed away Sunday, October 16, 2016 at the Golden Living Center in Benson. Visitation will be from 4-6 pm on Thursday, October 20th and will continue from 10-11 am on Friday, October 21st, with A Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am, all at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson. Interment will be in the St. Bridget Catholic Cemetery in DeGraff, MN?.

Jesse Earl Pahl was born on October 22, 1912 in Fowlerton, Texas, the son of Otto and Mathilda Martha (Schmidt) Pahl. He grew up in the Chokio, Minnesota area and on many farms in western Swift County. He attended school at Artichoke Lake country school in Shible Township through the 6th grade. As a teenager, he started working on farms to support his family.

On November 2, 1935, Jesse was united in marriage to Thelma Irene Payne by Father Sullivan at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church. This union was blessed with over 71 years of marriage and two sons. They farmed for 34 years total, 18 years on various farms and then farmed southwest of DeGraff, in Torning Township, for the last 16 years. They served as foster parents for 75 children and were designated as Swift County Foster Parents of the Year in 1982. Among the things Jesse enjoyed were fishing, hunting, trapping, and listening and dancing to old time music. Jesse loved to spend time with his family. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Befrienders Program, and served as a Minister of Praise. He was called from this life on Sunday morning, October 16th, at the Golden Living Center in Benson. He attained the age of 103 years, 11 months and 24 days.

Jesse is survived by his two sons, Gerald (Alice) Pahl of West St. Paul, Minnesota and James (Carol) Pahl of Benson; 12 grandchildren: Jeanine Brown, Daniel (Anke) Pahl, Tony Pahl, Peggy (David) Schmitz, Mary Beth (Nick) Schwartz, John (Melissa) Pahl, Patti (David) Herme, Matthew (Bessy) Pahl, Scott (Janice) Pahl, Michelle (Randy) Mikkelson, Shaun (Traci) Pahl, and Nicole (Nathan) Norby; 31 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren; and special friend, LuVonne Priebe.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma, in 2006; his parents, Otto and Mathilda; siblings: Rueben (Amanda) Pahl, Verna (Alfred) Rohloff, adopted sister Ella (Henry) Winegar, and five other sibilings who died in childhood: Edward, Harold, Gertrude, Fred and Chester. Blessed be his memory.