Paul Oliver Rekstad

January 7, 1932 - December 2, 2016

Paul Oliver Rekstad died Friday, December 2nd, 2016, at his home in Palm Coast, Florida. Paul was born to Harold Rekstad and Adalyn (Homstad) Rekstad on January 7, 1932, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He married Donna Jean Sweazey on September 7, 1952, and they later divorced in 1985. He married Lois Robinson Weinbender on November 21st, 1985. He was predeceased by his father, mother, sister, Patricia Rekstad Stuessy, brother-in-law Milton Stuessy and brother-in-law, Alan Robinson. Survivors include: His wife: Lois Rekstad and her children, Robin (Tim) Marr, Rick (Karen) Weinbender and Matt (Lorrie) Weinbender and their children. Sisters, Joan Rekstad, Alice Rekstad, and special family friend, Barbara Gates; first wife, Donna Rekstad and children: Michelle Eggerichs Rekstad, Erik (Denise) Rekstad, Kris (Emily) Rekstad and Solveig (Fritz) Rekstad Lubinski; Grandchildren: Aren Olson, Kristofor (Alicia) Olson, Tara Rekstad Nielson, John (Erika) Rekstad, Skylar (Christy) Rekstad, Darek (Tammy) Rekstad, Olyvia Rekstad, Mallory (Sam) Diercks, Michael (Kristine) McGuire; Great Grandchildren: Azaria, Tavia, Zachariah and Rania Nielson, Sunniva, Jason and Chase Rekstad, Jaxon, Avery and Asher Rekstad, Avella Rekstad and her sibling due in June, Hudson, Easton and Collins Diercks, Lucas, Zachary, Katie and Lily McGuire, and long-time close family friend, Norbert (Leah) Gaworek. Paul was a Korean War Air Force Veteran, a member of the USAFSS (United States Air Force Security Service), specifically a Russian linguist, stationed in Tripoli, Landsberg Germany and San Antonio, Texas, from 1952 to 1956. He graduated from high school in Whitewater, Wisconsin, going on to graduate from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, after leaving the Air Force with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Psychiatric Social Work from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Paul worked as a psychiatric social worker until his retirement. Paul was an Eagle Scout by the time he was 14 years old, and impressed upon his children the importance of survival and camping skills, as well as leaving a place, especially our environment, better than you found it. His children are grateful for the many learning experiences he showed them during their family travels, having traveled to every state in the union except Alaska and Hawaii, as well as Canada and Mexico. He never failed to make certain that they saw the important historical and environmental aspects of the places to which they traveled, and was always willing to include many of his children’s friends from the neighborhood on the family’s weekend camping forays. He loved to play, have fun, to travel, to be near the ocean, to soak up the sunshine, to enjoy the great outdoors, and he loved his dogs, Putsie, April, Tuffy and Cooper, who have gone before him, and Bella Mia who is still among the living. His grandfather, Oliver Homstad, often said that he never saw someone work so hard at having fun. Paul and Lois lived in Florida since approximately 2000. They owned and operated a pet care business called The Critter Sitters. There will be a celebration of life service held sometime in April or May in Winona, Minnesota, details to follow at a later date.