Paul David Edelbrock died peacefully after a short illness on November 14, 2023, in Walker, Minnesota. He spent his last hours in peace and comfort, surrounded by his loving family. Paul was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on April 1, 1930, to Edwina Borgerding and Felix Edelbrock. He was the youngest of five children and enjoyed an adventurous childhood in St. Cloud, where he was lovingly nicknamed “Ookie” by family and friends. Paul was fortunate to have lived a full life of over 93 years with many wonderful adventures and family memories.
During his childhood in St. Cloud, Paul earned his Eagle Scout Award and competed in numerous Minnesota canoe derbies. After graduation from Tech High School in St. Cloud, he was drafted into the army in 1951 and honorably discharged in 1952. Paul then spent several years traveling across the country pursuing grand adventures. He spent time exploring, camping, and working in Yellowstone Park. An avid skier, Paul eventually made his way to the mountains of Colorado, where he met his beloved wife, Katherine Knowles Campbell, whom he married in 1965, in a beautiful ceremony in Nisswa, Minnesota. Paul and Katherine lived in Bemidji, Minnesota, Denver, and Colorado Springs before settling in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, where they raised their family and lived for fifty-two years.
Paul was a serious collector of antiques. He spent much of his time attending auctions in Wyoming and Nebraska and visited every antique or “junk” store between Minnesota and Nebraska during his yearly pilgrimage to his cabin in the woods. With a remarkable attention to detail, he could appreciate the beauty of old homes. Paul was known for his painting, workmanship, and handyman skills. His passion was collecting beautiful antiques, which brought him much happiness.
Later, Paul spent more time in his native state, Minnesota. He and Katherine meticulously transformed an old general store on Ten Mile Lake into a quaint cabin in the woods. Paul, Katherine, and many family members and friends made happy memories in this beautiful cabin. He was so pleased to have spent the last months of his life in his cabin looking out at the forest he so loved as a child.
Paul is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Katherine Edelbrock; five children, Anna-Karin Edelbrock Fogg of NYC and Scottsbluff, Lisa (Matthew) Sweet of Omaha, NE, Susan (Evan) Scheele of Boston, MA, Paul (Kirsten) Edelbrock of Parker, CO, and Bridget (Aaron) Cisar of Omaha; grandchildren, Charles Fogg of NYC, Nathan (Harmony) Scheele of Northampton, MA, Martin Scheele and Nina Scheele of Boston, Ansley Edelbrock of Boulder, CO, Alex Edelbrock of Lincoln, NE, William and Eden Edelbrock-Peterson, Pearl, Kale, and Everson Cisar of Omaha; and terrific nephew, Tim (Laurie) Prem, of Cross Lake, MN.
Paul joins his parents, Felix and Edwina; brothers, Wallace, Edward, and Tom; sister, Phyllis Prem; and many extended family members. May he Rest in Peace in his cabin in the sky.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Scottsbluff, NE, on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 10:30 am. Father Konka will preside. A private family inurnment was held on November 17, 2023, at Evergreen Cemetery in Walker, Minnesota.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Autism Action Partnership in Omaha, Nebraska at https://autismaction.org/
Paul’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.northernpeace.com