THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE
The Rev. Paul E. Holmstrom
Issue Date: January 13, 2022
The Rev. Paul E. Holmstrom, 85, of Green Bay passed away Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.
Born June 2, 1936 in Joliet, Ill., to Harold and Ruby Holmstrom, he was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Joliet. In 1954 he graduated with honors from Joliet Township High School and in 1958 he graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill.
On June 18, 1960, he married Carol P. Anderson at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Joliet, Ill. and they shared 59 years together until her passing on Oct. 15, 2019. He enjoyed photography, old cars, time at the cabin in the UP and always had a project to do, but the joy of his life was his wife, daughters and their families.
He served his pastoral internship at Augustana Lutheran Church in Detroit, Mi. and in 1962 was ordained into the ministry of the Augustana Synod of the Lutheran Church which became part of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
A Lutheran pastor for over 35 years until retiring in 1997, he continued his ministry as a visitation pastor after retirement. He served at Bethany Lutheran Church in Negaunee, Mi. and then Zion Lutheran Church in Marinette. He also served on many boards and committees for Northern Great Lakes Synod of the ELCA, Northland Lutheran Retirement Community, served as Chaplain for the Marinette Police Department for many years and was active in his community.
Known for his calm demeanor and strong work ethic, he was committed to God, his wife, his family and his parishioners. He took life and his responsibilities seriously, led by example, lived life with a song in his heart and loved to sing, hum or whistle and had a good sense of humor.
He is survived by three daughters, Marcia (Keith) Nowicki of Green Bay, Janet (John) Littig of Cincinnati, Oh. and Julie (Clint) Frerichs of Stanton, Neb.; 10 grandchildren; a sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and the Rev. George Olson of Marinette; sister-in-law, Elna Anderson of Joliet, Ill. and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Karen and Tom Sedlacek of Anchorage, Ak.; brother-in-law, the Rev. Alan Lindberg of Prairie du Chien and many cousins; nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Carol; father-in-law and mother-in-law, David and Esther Anderson and sisters-in-law, Leona, Leota and Sandy Anderson and Jane Lindberg.
Visitation was held Monday, Jan. 10 from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church, 2911 Libal St., Green Bay, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. with Revs. Lori and Luther Swenson officiating. Burial was in Forest Home Cemetery in Marinette. (Masks were required at the Church.) Donations in his memory can be made to Ascension Lutheran Church or to Zion Lutheran Church in Marinette. Hansen Onion Martell Funeral Home of Marinette assisted the family.