Rev. Henry "Paul" Widen

Paul Widen, age 70, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on November 26, 2021 following a long battle with cancer. He was born January 1, 1951 in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he grew up with his four sisters and parents. He invited the Lord into his heart as a youth at Trout Lake Camp. After graduating from St. Paul Central High School in 1969, he joined the US Air Force and served in the Vietnam War as a crew chief on C-130's. He met the love of his life, JoLayne Marie Swanson, at Bethany Baptist Church and they were married in August of 1975. He worked many years as a security guard at Montgomery Ward, graduated from Bethel College followed by Bethel Seminary, then served as an Air Force chaplain. He joyfully and humbly followed his calling to pastor Valley View Baptist Church (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Salem Baptist Church (now GracePoint; New Brighton), Lake Sarah Baptist Church (Slayton), and Oak Hill Baptist Church (Columbia Heights). Despite the major challenges that life threw at him, Paul's faith never wavered. During his service in Vietnam he witnessed the death of many friends, but he focused on the blessing of coming home alive, and this experience led to his calling to the ministry. When his family lost their home and material possessions in a 1993 fire, he broke the news to his kids by enthusiastically inviting them to come swimming in the hotel pool (where they were going to "get to" live for the next several months!). After miraculously surviving a serious motorcycle accident in 2006, he expressed gratitude that it happened to him rather than his daughter or her friend. In 2012, he was diagnosed with Agent Orange-induced angiosarcoma. While the cancer took his right leg, his independence, and eventually his life, it never took his love for his God, his passion to serve, or his determination to be the "hands and foot" of Christ. (He specifically instructed us to "laugh a little" in remembering him!) Paul's kids - and eventually, grandchildren - were his pride and joy. He was their biggest supporter and number one fan, making it to every game, event, and activity that he possibly could. He was a man of solid and infectious faith, a hugger (of ALL people), and an encourager. He was a lover of strong coffee, chocolate chip cookies, and the North Shore. He never, ever complained and he always put other people's needs ahead of his own. He was stubborn and tenderhearted, compassionate and thoughtful, wise and a lifelong learner. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, H. Stamford and Merle Widen. He dearly loved his family and is survived by his (saint of a) wife of 46 years, JoLayne; daughter Emily (Chad) Anderson; son Josh (Lynnae) Widen; grandchildren Cooper, Riley, Gracie, Paisley, and Ashlee Anderson and Nora and Brin Widen; sisters Gwen (John) Wiens, Jean Widen, Kathy (Randy) Iverson, and Barb Widen; brother-in-law Dana (Marci) Swanson; nieces Amanda (Steve) Guanzini and Mandy (Cory) Champney; nephews Chris (Amy) Wiens, Mike (Meredith) Wiens, Matt (Diane) Swanson, Dan Iverson, and Dave (Kat) Iverson; and many grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and cousins. Please join us in celebrating Paul's life at the visitation from 5 to 8pm on Tuesday, November 30 at Holcomb-Henry-Boom-Purcell Funeral Home, 515 Highway 96 W, Shoreview. The funeral service will be at 2pm on Wednesday, December 1 at Oak Haven Church, 1555 Constance Blvd NE, Ham Lake. A visitation will precede the service at the church at 1pm, and a luncheon will follow. For those that are unable to join us in person, the memorial service will be live-streamed on the Oak Haven Church YouTube channel.

Tributes

Rev. Henry "Paul" Widen

January 1, 1951 - November 26, 2021

Tributes

Rev. Henry "Paul" Widen

January 1, 1951 - November 26, 2021

We are here for you 24x7

Call us and get help now

(612) 377-2203