Marquette, MI- Paul G. Blomgren, age 80 of Marquette, died Tuesday, June 19, at home in the loving care of his family and the Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice.

He was born March 25, 1932, in Ishpeming, to John and Ida (Anderson) Blomgren. He was a graduate of Ishpeming High School, class of '50, Northern Michigan University, '62, and the University of Michigan, '64.

Paul worked on the ore carriers of the Great Lakes for Bethlehem Steel for 10 years. Starting as a deckhand, he worked his way up to Wheelsman and then Third Mate. Then deciding he wanted a college education, he eventually earned a Master's Degree in Psychiatric Social Work at the U. of M. At the time of his retirement, he was Assistant Director and Chief Of Social Services of a 300-bed hospital for mentally and emotionally impaired adolescents, at Fairlawn Center, Pontiac, MI.

Paul was also a gentleman farmer, caring for his five acres of land in the countryside of Oakland County, growing fruit trees, and managing a huge organic vegetable garden. He was also an amateur beekeeper, tending several hives. Paul enjoyed working with wood, creating articles of Scandinavian design.
He had an admiration for Byzantine art and painted in oil, reproducing many of his favorite icons.
Paul served in the past as Archivist at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ishpeming, taking a genuine delight in helping people search for and make connections with their roots in the "Old Country" of their origin. He traveled several times to Sweden and Finland, and to France and Germany.
Paul also served in the United States Army.

In June of 1959, he married Susan (Bussiere), and they have 3 children and 5 grandchildren; daughter Brigitte, sons Franz Erik and Thomas Karl; grandchildren Robert Rowley, Sean Blomgren, Anna Blomgren, Ashley Blomgren, and Annika Stark, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Helen Baggiore, and brother, John Blomgren.

Funeral services for Paul will be held 11:00am Saturday, June 23rd at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Ishpeming with Rev. Warren Geier officiating. Interment will take place in the Ishpeming Cemetery.

The family will greet relatives and friends at the Bethany Lutheran Church on Saturday from 10:00am until the time of service at 11:00am.

Those wishing to give memorials may send them to Bethany Lutheran Church, Ishpeming, MI.

Paul's obituary may be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com where his guest book may be signed.