Paul Motschenbacher

Paul Matthew “Buster” Motschenbacher, 79, of Perham, MN, died February 19, 2020, at Serenity Assisted Living in Dilworth, MN.

Paul was born September 17, 1940 in Moorhead, MN to Paul “Butch” Sr. and Florence (Leinum) Motschenbacher. He graduated from high school in Crookston, MN in 1959 and went on to attend Crookston Agricultural School.  Paul joined the Air National Guard and was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, TX where he attended jet engine school. He was honorably discharged after 20 years of service.

Paul married Joyce Kronbeck at Sheppard Air Force Base on February 7, 1959.  They moved to Moorhead in 1960 and he worked at the Fairmont Creamery until 1968. The family then moved to Shakopee, MN where he worked as a mechanic for Northwest Airlines.  In 1974 they moved to Colorado where Paul learned the construction trade and began building homes with Joyce’s uncle, Grant Haug.  A year later they moved back to Sabin, MN and Paul started his own business, P & J Construction Company.  He retired from his construction career about 30 years ago and moved to Perham, MN where he and Joyce enjoyed living on the lake.  The greatest joy in his life was his family, and he loved spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.  He also loved woodworking and building homes, including most of the homes that the family lived in over the years. Even in retirement he continued to help people around the lake build and remodel.  His was a very active retirement.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce,  Perham; daughter, Patsy (Dean) Wallace, Trabuco Canyon, CA; son, Brad (Jill) Motschenbacher, Fargo, ND; brother, Nick Motschenbacher, North Pole, AK; sister, Barb Dahl, Sabin, MN ; grandchildren, Jamie, Matthew and Ashley Motschenbacher and Amber Joy Wallace, and great-grandchild Reed Wallace.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. with visitation for one hour before the service, at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead.