Pastor Paul Laurell

CHATHAM - Pastor Paul, 86, was called to his eternal rest, on Thursday, May 3, 2007, at Epoch Nursing Home, in Norton, Mass.

He was the husband of the late Norma Nylen. Pastor Paul was born on September 6, 1920, in Beaver Falls, S.D.

He was one of six children born to Reverend and Mrs. Albert J. Laurell.

He graduated from South High school, Worcester, Mass., in 1938; Upsala College, East Orange, N.J. in 1942; Augustana Theological Seminary, Rock Island, Ill, 1945; and graduate study, Kennedy School of Missions, Hartford, Conn, in 1946.

Pastor Paul was ordained by the Augustana Lutheran Church in Duluth, Minn., June 1946 on a call to be a missionary in Africa.

Unfortunately, due to his wife's, Norma, health, the trip to Africa could not come to fruition.

He was then called to Christ Lutheran Church, Natick, where he served as their Pastor from 1946 to 1948.

In 1948, he was called to be Pastor of a newly merged congregation, Tabor Lutheran Church, Pueblo, Colo., where he helped to build a new church to accommodate the growing congregation.

First Lutheran Church in Montclair, N.J., called Pastor Paul to serve them in 1954. The congregation outgrew its original buildings and a new church was built.

On January 1, 1979, he became Pastor-Developer for a new mission on Lower Cape Cod and became the first Pastor of Saint Peter's Lutheran Church in Harwich.

Pastor Paul retired on December 15, 1985, and was named Pastor Emeritus of Saint Peter's.

Pastor and his wife Norma, Bunny, were married for 56 years when she died November 21, 2001. During their marriage, they were blessed with three children. Peter Laurell and his wife, Lynn, of Lockhart Texas, Ingrid Benson and her husband, John, of Attleboro; and Jon Laurell and his wife, Catharine, of Chatham.

Also survived by his former daughter-in-law, Rose Aleta Laurell. Five grandchildren Felicity Winnett, Michael Cordeiro, Courtney Laurell, Anders Benson, and Paul Laurell. Three great-grandchildren Madison Winnett, Jacob Cordeiro, and Joshua Cordeiro.

Visiting hours will be held in the Nickerson Funeral Home, 87 Crowell Road Chatham, tomorrow from 4 p.m.to 7p.m.

A Celebration of Life service will be held in Saint Peter's Lutheran Church Route 137 Harwich on Tuesday, May 8 at 11 a.m.

Burial will follow in South Chatham Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Saint Peter's Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, Route 137, East Harwich, MA, 02645.