Paul Eugene Bottolfson, much loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away on January 5, 2023 in Lethbridge, Alberta.

Paul was born in Nye, Wisconsin in 1933 to Hans and Carrie Bottolfson. He was the youngest of 8 children and is survived by one sister, Ida Martinson.

While working and living in Minneapolis, Paul met Kay, the love of his life, in a house of ill repute, as he liked to say. (It was a bar.) They were married in September 1967 and have been together for 55 years. Their legacy of love and staying together “for better or worse, in sickness and in health” is a beautiful memorial. They made homes together in Fridley, MN, Circle Pines, MN, Rush Lake, MN, Cut Knife, SK, Elkford, BC and Lethbridge, AB.

In his younger days, Paul was an avid athlete, playing football, softball, bowling and golf. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. He went on to work at many different jobs. Some of his favorite occupations were being a bus driver, custodian at schools in Cut Knife and Elkford, owner of Poison Paul’s Coffee Cup, and minister.

Even though Paul had struggles, he loved life. He loved sports (especially his Blue Jays), playing guitar and singing, and, most of all, people. Paul made friends wherever he went. It didn’t matter what age they were or what standing in society. In fact, he seemed to love the underdog more than most. Paul was loved and respected by everyone, but it wasn’t a respect that was demanded. He was loved because his deep faith in God helped him see the worth in everyone. He was always ready with a smile, laugh, hug, song, or prayer when you needed it.

Paul will be forever loved and missed by his wife, Kay; his children and families: Shawn (Carol) Bottolfson (Tiler (Sera); Calen (Asher)); Rondeana (Ian) Milburn (Dennis; Matthew); Coreen Packham (Jonathan; Nathaniel); Doreen Stribbell (Timothy; Rebecca). He is also survived by his sister, Ida Martinson, his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Connie and Don Hauser; Jean and Jerry Hewson; Rena Weikle; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Paul was predeceased by his parents (Hans and Carrie Bottolfson), 3 brothers, 3 sisters, his mother-in-law Henrietta (Busch) Weikle and father-in-law Robert Weikle whom he loved very much.

Paul’s family would like to thank all those at Good Samaritan Park Meadows Village, who loved and cared for Paul in amazing ways throughout the last 2 years of his life.  Special heartfelt thanks to the HCAs, past and present, in Cottage 3.

A Celebration of Paul’s Life will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, January 14th, 2023 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4th Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta. A livestream of the service can be found at https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/Paul-Bottolfson 

In Paul’s memory, donations can be made to Teen Challenge Alberta; https://www.tcalberta.ca/ or to Good Samaritan Park Meadows Village; https://gss.org/locations/park-meadows-village/