Paul Nolte

Paul Werner Nolte went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 20, 2024.

Paul was born on October 29, 1934 to Werner and Rosa (Gebhard) Nolte. He was the fourth of seven children. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. As a young boy, he enjoyed being outdoors and in the barn helping his family on the farm. Paul and his siblings grew up with their cousins who lived right down the road. When they were not riding bikes all day in the summer, they could be found swimming at the swimming hole behind the barn, which was strictly boys only! Paul attended school in District 49. He went to a one room country school for 8 years until 8th grade when he moved to the town school. Paul graduated in 1953 from Sebeka School. After high school, Paul joined the army for two years. He went to Germany for 14 months and worked for the Occupation Forces. When the time came to be done serving in Germany, Paul was happy to get back to working at what he always knew his lifelong occupation would be, farming. On May 31st, 1957 Paul met JoAnne Burley at Herb Johnson's Barn Dance in Arthur, North Dakota. Paul liked her red hair and attitude. Every Wednesday he would drive 40 miles one way to take her to a movie. They were married December 21, 1957 in a Christmas candlelight service at Herby Lutheran Church. They made their home in Steele, North Dakota for two years before purchasing their family farm in Sebeka in 1959. It was there that they would raise their six children, always busy with animals and working the land. And later, the 17 grandkids would make memories of following their grandpa around the barn to do the milking or being sent out to the tractor in the field to bring him his coffee and cookies from JoAnne. After 35 years of farming, Paul sold his farm to his youngest son, Tim Nolte. In 1992, Paul took office as county commissioner and served the county for 10 years. Paul was a long-standing member of Grace Lutheran Church where he was always up for a visit with others after every service. Paul and JoAnne were also always very active in attending and helping out with a variety of threshing shows, including Rollag and England Prairie.

Paul is survived by his children Teresa Churchman, Park Rapids, MN; Rodney (Lynda) Nolte, Aguilar, CO; Rebecca (Jamie) Hoefs, Sebeka, MN; Mark (Diane) Nolte, Valley City, ND; Timothy (Rita) Nolte, Sebeka, MN, Jim Dusek, Grafton, ND; 17 Grandchildren, 44 Great Grandchildren; Siblings Ben Nolte, Kerrville, TX; Norman (Marilyn) Nolte, Milaca, MN; Laura Bounds, Wadena, MN.

Paul was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years JoAnne, Daughter Kristine Kay (Jim) Dusek, Great-grandchild Sophie Ann Hoefs, son in-law Robert Churchman, siblings, Ruth Johnson & William Nolte.

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