Paul Francis Hayden

Paul Francis Hayden, 75, of Benson, MN, died Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at home surrounded by his family, under Hospice care. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 28, 2023, with a Rosary at 5 p.m. and Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson, MN. Visitation will continue from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. July 29, 2023, at St. Francis Catholic Church. Interment will be in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson. www.zniewskifuneralhome.com

Paul Francis Hayden was born on March 12, 1948 in St. Peter, Minnesota, to Robert Vincent and Irene Margaret (Heinzman) Hayden. He was one of five children born to Robert and Irene. Paul was baptized and confirmed at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Le Sueur, Minnesota. He grew up on a farm near Le Sueur, where he attended St. Anne’s Catholic Grade School and graduated from Le Sueur High School in 1966. He went on to attend St. John’s Universtiy.

Paul married Renee Abel on June 28, 1975 at the Church of Visitation in Danvers, Minnesota. The marriage was officiated by Fr. Ralph Hayden and F. Marion Casey. They shared 48 years of married life together. Paul and Renee had two children, Emily and Andy. They raised their children in Benson, Minnesota on tenth street with encouragement to help others with services such as lawn mowing and snow blowing for the block.

Paul was a social worker for Swift County Human Services for over 40 years. He was active in his church as a Reader, served on the Social Concerns Committee for the Diocese, and was a leader for the RCIA program.

Paul was involved in many groups and organizations while living in Benson. He was a member of AARP, Pheasants Forever, the DFL party, St. John’s College Alumni Association, couples’ bridge group, and men’s bridge group. He enjoyed pheasant hunting with family at his brother Tim’s place near Canby, playing bridge, watching Twins Baseball, and vegetable gardening in his backyard. Paul had a beautiful garden and recently changed it to a pollinator garden to attract bees and butterflies. He was a lover of trivia and games, was very good at helping with all our remodeling projects. He was a gatherer of friends with yearly “SnoDaze” gatherings with college friends and birthday month dinners with high school friends.

Paul is survived by his wife Renee, his two children Emily Hayden (John Wenke) and Andrew (Vanessa) Hayden, and four grandchildren: Gavyn Hayden, Cooper Hayden, Ethen Wenke, and Quinn Wenke. He is also survived by his siblings: Joseph “Joe” (Mary) Hayden of Bloomington, MN, John “Jack” Hayden of Grafton, WI, Louise (Milo) Falk of Minnetonka, MN, and Timothy “Tim” (Lori) Hayden of Canby, MN.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Irene Hayden, and sister-in-law Jill Hayden (spouse of Jack.)