Paul H. Solinger

Paul H. Solinger, a 64-year-old resident of Pierz, MN passed away suddenly Wednesday, October 7, 2015, in Genola, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, October 12, 2015, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierz, with Father Ken Popp officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Parish Cemetery in Pierz. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM on Sunday and from 9 to 10 AM on Monday at Shelley-Virnig Funeral Chapel in Pierz. Parish Prayer Service will be held at 7 PM on Sunday. Paul Henry Solinger was born on January 11, 1951, in Little Falls, MN to Ray and Bertie (Mueller) Solinger, and grew up at his family’s home in Genola, MN. He attended St. Joseph’s Grade School and graduated from Healy High School in Pierz. Paul attended Saint Cloud State University and the Saint Cloud Business College. After college graduation, Paul began working with his father at Genola Grain Company in 1972. He married Karen “Kitti” Terhaar on June 15, 1974, at St. Joseph’s Church in Pierz. Paul and Kitti built a home on 19 acres of the Philip Terhaar farm, where they raised their two sons, Mark and Ryan. He took a short break from Genola Grain to work with his good friend Myron Kujawa at Pierz Marine for a few years in the 1990s, while continuing to work with his brothers at Genola Grain in the winter months. In 2001, Paul purchased the Ridge game farm with his friend Ryan Kirschbaum, which they ran together for 13 years. It was a gathering spot for Paul and all his outdoor-loving friends.Paul eventually went back to work full-time at Genola Grain until his death. He was a life-long/founding member of the Eastern Morrison County Sportsman's Club. Paul was in the Morrison County Fourwheeler club, on the school board of Saint Joseph's grade school, a member of the Knights of Columbus and a life-long member of the NRA and taught Gun Safety classes for 40 years. Throughout his life, Paul enjoyed the outdoors -- fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, softball, and hockey. Paul never found an “unfixable” motor that he could not fix. You were a lucky person to be his friend. Paul’s gift for telling a story was without parallel, and there was really nothing he would not do for those he loved. Paul loved his family more than anything. He particularly enjoyed spending time with his sons, Mark and Ryan, and in recent years, became the best Grandpa in the world to Nathan, Brandon, and Logan. Those of us who were blessed enough to know him will carry a little part of him around in our hearts for all time. Paul is survived by his wife of 41 years, Kitti, his sons, Mark (Kate) Solinger of Sartell, MN, Ryan (Missy) Solinger of Pierz, MN; grandsons, Nathan, Brandon, and Logan Solinger of Pierz, MN; siblings, Cheryl (Bob) Halvorson of Fargo, ND, Gary (Linda) Solinger of Buckman, MN, Dave (Donna) Solinger of Buckman, MN, and Jayne Solinger (Beth Sorensen) of Minneapolis; aunts, Audreen (Solinger) Nagel of Pierz, MN, and Anna (Mueller) Helms of Fargo, ND; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Paul was preceded in death by his parents in 2012. Pallbearers will be Dave Virnig, Ryan Kirschbaum, Dick Talberg, Keith Thielen, Curt Nagel, Myron Kujawa, Dennis Hoheisel, Kirk Halvorson, Jake Solinger and Luke Solinger. The family requests memorials to the Pierz Villa, Horizon Health, or a charity close to Paul’s heart.

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Paul H. Solinger

January 11, 1951 - October 7, 2015