Paul Manz

Paul Manz

Paul Manz Obituary

Visit the Legacy Remembers website to view the full obituary.
Child of God, born to Otto and Hulda (Jeske) Manz in Cleveland, Ohio, May 10, 1919, entered Eternal Life October 28, 2009. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Ruth, and two sons, infant David and Michael. He had long served the church as organist, composer, recitalist and teacher. Trained as an educator at Concordia River Forest, IL, he earned a Master's Degree in Music at Northwestern University. He began his music ministry at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, in 1950. He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study under the tutelage of Flor Peeters. In 1956 he won First Prize with Grand Distinction in the Organ Competition at the Royal Flemish Conservatory in Antwerp, Belgium. Among his other awards are The Northwestern University Alumni Merit Award; The Luther Institute Award; The Wittenberg Fine Arts Award; The Confessor of Christ Award from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago - Christ Seminary Seminex; and many honorary doctorates. He was known for the art of improvisation and was identified by the American Guild of Organists as one of the 101 Most Influential Organists of the 21st Century. He is survived by six children, John Manz (Ellen) of St. Paul, Peter Manz (Stephanie) of Portland, Mary Mueller Bode (Joel deceased) of St. Paul, Anne Mueller Klinge (David) of St. Louis, Sara Mueller Forsberg (Dale) of Minneapolis, John Mueller of Spokane; daughter-in-law, Patricia Manz (son Michael deceased) of Spokane; twelve grandchildren, Erik (Kimberly), David (Caitlin), Rachael, Rachel, Rebekah, Katherine, Sarah (Dave), Erin (David), Jessica (Scott), Laura, Peter, Anna; and five great-grandchildren; many treasured friends, colleagues, former students, and legions of people in the pews. The family is grateful to Dr. Alden Tetlie, his staff, and all the gracious caregivers at Saint Anthony Park Home. Memorial Eucharist, Sunday, November 8, 2009, 2pm at GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH, 700 South Snelling Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55116. Private Interment. Memorials preferred to: Ruth and Paul Manz Scholarship Fund. Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago 1100 East 55th Street Chicago, Illinois 60615. This fund for organ students who wish to pursue a career in church music is managed by the The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, in conjunction with the American Guild of Organists, Twin Cities Chapter. Bradshaw 678 South Snelling Avenue 651-698-3878

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December 13, 2009

arvis Hiniker posted to the memorial.

November 19, 2009

Patty Smith posted to the memorial.

November 19, 2009

Rev. Sue Allen posted to the memorial.

arvis Hiniker

December 13, 2009

How privileged I feel to have heard this great man work his magic on the organ the times he came to the San Diego area. I met him, personally, at a reception after a concert and I was amazed at the humble, modest nature of this great artist. I asked him for his autograph that day and it is one of my most cherished treasures along with several recordings of his organ music.

He was and always will remain a great inspiration to this organist of a small southeran California congregation.

My prayers and deepest sympathy go out to his family and loved ones.

Patty Smith

November 19, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with you at the death of Paul Manz. Just knowing he is with the Father and no longer with us, leaves a void in my life. I'm sure he is sitting with JS Bach and they are comparing notes, with Paul simplyifing the music. Although I didn't know him personally, I felt a closeness to him via his music that I frequently play. May God give you strength and peace during this difficult time.

Rev. Sue Allen

November 19, 2009

I knew Paul first through his music. Later as a seminary student he taught theology through the music he shared with us. I was priveldged as a pastor to welcome him to bless and dedicate a new organ in my sanctuary. His humor, laughter and joy are eclipsed only by his talent at the bench. Blessed are we who have known him, blessed is he now at home with Christ.

November 18, 2009

Although I did not know the man Paul Manz, I certainly knew his music and appreciated his compositions so much. He was able to compose music that even an "average" organist could play and sound very accomplished. This year when I pull out some of his Christmas music I will remember this very remarkable musician. You as a family have my sympathy in your loss.

Phyllis Staver

November 18, 2009

Although I did not know the man Paul Manz, I certainly knew his music and appreciated his compositions so much. He was able to compose music that even an "average" organist could play and sound very accomplished. This year when I pull out some of his Christmas music I will remember this very remarkable musician. You as a family have my sympathy in your loss.

Katie (Sattler) Walda

November 10, 2009

My life was touched by his music in more ways than I can say. He taught me about hymn playing, and to inspire congregational singing. From the first time I heard one of his Hymn Festivals at Atonement Lutheran in Florissant, Missouri, I knew that I was listening to something, someONE, special. His music will continue to inspire, to draw people closer to God through worship. May God give comfort to those who mourn. Soli Deo Gloria!

November 10, 2009

He literally kept me in school - I was ready to leave. Oh, how I wish I could have been there for the Memorial Service. He (and Ruth) WILL be missed! (Dale Fisk, Pleasant Hill, MO)

Thomas Rossin

November 9, 2009

Paul's gift of loving the people he served while molding their ears and hearts through incredible artistry and imagination at the keyboard has been and will continue to be a witness to all of us who continue to serve in our own corner of God's vineyard. Inspiring, uplifting, gentle, intelligent and a winsome personality all belong to Paul Manz. His gift was immense and generously given to others. Our present from God was Paul Manz.

Charles and Sandra Bonow

November 6, 2009

To study organ from Paul was one of the great blessings of my life. To know and love him as a friend to my family and me was even greater. And to be counted along with this humble and faithful redeemed child of God as fellow citizens of heaven and saints of God is the greatest of all.
Revelation 14:13
Our love and sympathy.

Dick Hardel

November 5, 2009

Not only could Dr. Manz play an organ with Holy Breath, he could laugh with Holy Breath. We once did an entire synod assembly with the theme of Celebrating Laughter as a Gift from God. He made the organ laugh. He and I were so excited about what the Holy Spirit had worked in worship that our eyes filled with tears. With Dr. Manz's death, we laugh with him in the face of death because of the victory that is his in the Resurrection. Alleluia! Dick Hardel, Montana

Robert Hanson

November 5, 2009

Thank-You Dr. Manz for your heavenly gift of music that you have given us

Richard Johnson

November 5, 2009

To the Manz family,
The world will surely miss this great talented, musical and spritual man.
Our family attended Mt. Olive during the 1950's and recall with fond memories the wonderful seasonal pageants in which we all participated in that were wonderfully orchestrated by Paul.
My father's membership even goes back to his youth.
We were all members of the choir and considered Paul and his family as personal friends over the years. We will carry those memories in our hearts forever.
Thank you Paul Manz.
George & Laura Johnson,Rockville,Md.
Richard, Santa Barbara,Ca.
Roger, Denton Tx.
Ralene Sliter, Kalispell,Mt.
Rianne Willey, Herndon,Va.
Randel, Potomac,Md.

Jayne Kettner

November 4, 2009

I really loved Paul a lot. Besides his outstanding career, Paul was a fine man....a fine Christian! He was intelligent, kind, thoughtful, caring and he had a great sense of humor. I learned so much from Paul and Ruth's examples in my life. They both had such loving, gentle spirits. I will miss them dearly... until we meet again. And then we will ALL be able to play organ just as beautifully as Paul Manz.

Margaret Rickers Hinchey

November 3, 2009

Paul Manz has been an inspiration to organists like me for decades. What a marvelous heavenly chorus he is leading now! I give thanks to God that I was able to study with Paul, but even more to know him as a man of God and a model of faith. Soli Deo Gloria!

Gary Gabert

November 3, 2009

Thank you, Dr. Manz for sharing with us a foretaste of the feast to come through your monumental contribution to church music in our time, thank you.

November 3, 2009

Prayers to the Manz Family from the Van Pelt Family

Susan Lillestrand Richter

November 3, 2009

His music lives on. We were all blessed to have such a musical talent in our community.
-The Lillestrand family

Geoffrey Simon

November 2, 2009

Paul was a gift from God to all of us who love sacred music. It was my privilege to welcome him to D.C., not only for hymn festivals on the Beckerath organ at Christ Lutheran Church, but also for the 1985 Luther Festival, for which he played the Jongen Symphonie Concertante at the Kennedy Center. As the conductor for that occasion, it was a joy to work with Paul; the National Symphony members were impressed with his musicianship and his virtuoso performance. The world has been richer because of Paul's life.

Jane E Bruss

November 2, 2009

My recollections of Mr. Manz go back to the late 1930s. He and my Father were at River Forest at the same time. While Paul played the organ, my Father pumped the bellows that pushed air through the pipes. They had to work together; my Dad took his job very seriously. Since that time my Dad moved to St. Louis and raised a family. I, in turn, moved to the Cities and listened to Paul play the organ sans the bellows. Funny how everything comes full circle.

Sharon Smith-Troje

November 2, 2009

I remember Paul as the Dad of fellow students at Lutheran High School of Minneapolis. I remember attending some of his concerts and hearing him play when I attended church at Mt. Olive he was blessed with great talent and we were all blessed by knowing him and hearing him play. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Janelle Bonson

November 1, 2009

I remember hearing Paul Manz in Appleton at a Hymn festival. He played most of the service without music in front of him, which showed his improvisational skills. I was simply in awe of his ability to improvise. I love his compositions and play them for services often. He may not physically be with us but his prescence will continue in his music worship for many years to come!

Edie Berzins Park

November 1, 2009

To the family of Paul Manz, It was a blessed privilege to know Paul even though not so personally through The American Guild of Organists while I was Administrative Assistant at National Headquarters and again through The Twin Cities Chapter. He was an inspiration to me and enriched my love for the church and church music.

Jon Kietzer

November 1, 2009

Peace and love...from the first note I heard Paul play on the new Schlicker
organ (in the 60's) at Mount Olive to the final hymn festival he presented at House of Prayer Lutheran church in Richfield, his life was an inspiration to me and thousands of other church musicians. It was a life of worship and praise...."Soli Dei Gloria"

Carol Poindexter

November 1, 2009

To Paul's family,
My heart goes out to you, as the world has lost a truly amazing man.
I owe my love and appreciation of organ music to Paul, having been
introduced to him by my mother and father, Helen & Ben Baesler, at
the ripe age of 3 years old. He picked me up and placed me beside
him on the organ bench of this huge and majestic instrument. He was my Mom's choir director many, many years ago at Emanuel
Lutheran Church in St. Paul, but thankfully I was able to reconnect
with him on several occasions in San Francisco, and one very special
Reformation Sunday when I sang in the choir while he was guest
organist at my church in Sacramento, Ca., Town & Country Lutheran.
I will forever hold his memory close and very dear to my heart. The
heavens are truly alive and thundering with beautiful music!
Carol Baesler Poindexter

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Sign Paul Manz's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

December 13, 2009

arvis Hiniker posted to the memorial.

November 19, 2009

Patty Smith posted to the memorial.

November 19, 2009

Rev. Sue Allen posted to the memorial.