Paul Pett

Paul Grant Pett died early morning on September 30, 2024. He was born on November 23, 1926, in Johnstown Township in Polk County, Wisconsin. He was the third child born to Clara Teresa Hattie Freitag Pett and Paul Gerhardt Pett. Paul went to Pipe Lake School until 8th grade, and then Cumberland High School until Pipe Lake merged with Turtle Lake, so he finished high school at Turtle Lake High School in 1944. He then farmed with his parents. He met Geralyn Pauline Lund at a roller-skating rink and were married on May 22, 1948. They had four children, Trudy Gay, Bruce Paul, Todd Allen and Cheryl Jean. He was very proud of them all.
Paul's work included hauling cans of milk for Turtle Lake Creamery for 3 years. He then worked for 3M in Cumberland for three years and was laid off. During this lay-off period, he farmed and worked for Talbot Construction. In 1962, he returned to 3M until retirement on January 1, 1988. He and Geralyn farmed during this period. After retiring, he worked part-time for Polk County ASCS inspecting fields and taking samples of the crops for moisture content.
In his "spare" time, he served on the Farmers Union Board for over 15 years and was the Board Chairman for Johnstown Township for over 25 years until the year 2000. During these years he also served on the Pipe Lake Christ Lutheran Church board and was Sexton for many years.
After retiring, Paul and Geralyn enjoyed spending winters in Mesa, Arizona for 30 years. They enjoyed golfing, playing Bridge, and making many new friends. Paul loved living on Pipe Lake and taking care of his land. He was an avid outdoors man, hunting, and fishing. And he loved to golf at Cumberland Golf Club where he had so many friends.
Preceding him in death was his wife of 75 years, Geralyn; his parents Clara and Paul Pett, Sr.; sisters Mona Fay Pett, Alvira Schwanke, and Doris Copeland.
Left to mourn him are his children: Trudy (Lloyd) Popenhagen, Bruce Pett, Todd (Billie) Pett, Cheryl (Mike) Giraud. Grandchildren: Angela (Dave) Moeri, Adam (Cathie) Popenhagen, Mackenzie (Adrian) Leiter, Mallory Pett. Great-Grandchildren: Courtney Moeri, Brandon Moeri, Breanna Popenhagen, and Ashton Popenhagen.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Monday 7, October 2024 at Christ Lutheran Church in Pipe Lake (Comstock) with Pastor Steve Miller officiating. Burial will be in Christ Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. Honorary pallbearers are Ed Freitag, Lauren Jansen, Dean Schwanke, David Copeland, Pat Ricci, Larry Conley, Tim Rouzer, and Tom Rouzer. Visitation will be from 1-4 PM Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Skinner Funeral Home in Cumberland, and one hour before the service.
Skinner Funeral Home of Cumberland is serving the family.