Paul Donald Watne

Paul was born in Fargo, North Dakota. He resided at Children's Village in Fargo, ND and was adopted by Otto and Thelma Watne in 1950.
Paul attended a country school not far from his home in rural Cooperstown, ND until that school was closed and he then attended Cooperstown Grade and Highschool, graduating in May of 1967. Paul attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND from 1967-1968.
He went to work for WDAY-TV in Fargo, ND in 1968 and part of 1969.
Paul married Beverly Kaye (Paulsen) Sept 6th, 1969, in Finley, ND. After the wedding they resided in Fargo, ND and then moved in October 1969 to Minneapolis, MN where Paul accepted a cameraman position at WCCO-TV. He then was asked to do production of various advertisements and shows for Northwest Tele-productions in Edina, MN; one of those was for Montgomery Ward. Paul worked with many well-known talents nsuch as Lawrence Welk, Dick Clark, Loretta Lynn and numerous others.
In 1977 Paul and Bev left their home in Golden Valley, MN and moved to Tustin, CA. Paul and Bev owned a plant store in Burbank, CA while Paul free lanced in the production world. After a short time in Tustin, CA Paul and Bev moved to San Diego where Paul was hired in 1978 as a cameraman and lighting director for Western Video Productions.
In 1980 we moved to Anaheim, CA where Paul was a cameraman for the Garden Grove Community Church and Hour of Power with Dr. Robert Schuller. While continuing to work for the Hour of Power, Paul and Bev started Dub West and Country Dancing USA in their garage. After building the business and outgrowing their garage in Orange, CA they moved to a production space at the Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, CA.
In 1992 they decided to move to Sisters, OR and continue growing their business and starting a magazine called That's Country. In the early part of 1999, they left Sisters, OR for Phoenix, AZ where Paul was hired to do tv production and lighting for KPNX-NBC Channel 12. Paul retired from KPNX in 2015. After retiring and moving to Prescott, AZ Paul and Bev decided to live closer to their children in Bend, OR in July of 2015.
In 2019 Paul was diagnosed with Lewey Body Dementia. He died at High Lakes Care Home at age 74 in Bend, OR. He fought the good fight before entering The Gates of Heaven.
Paul is survived by his wife of 54 years, Beverly K. Watne. Son, Ryan P. Watne of Bend, OR Granddaughter, Khloe Watne. Daughter, Kimberly K. Rogers of Bend, OR and Granddaughter, Emma Kaye. (1) Sister, Mary George (Tex), Florence, MT. (2) Stepsisters, Janice Kalsow (David) of Audubon, MN, Kim Borah of Lake Park, MN, and (2) Stepbrothers, Dennis Kroshus (Penny) of West Fargo, ND and Mike Kroshus of Callaway, MN and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by parents, Otto and Thelma Watne. Sister, Paulette Kocher. Brothers, Richard Amundsen and David Hoiland. Stepbrother, Clifford Kroshus.
Celebration of Life will be held at Cascade Village Club House located at 63700 Cascade Village Drive in Bend, OR on June 14th at 5:30pm.
Arrangements by Autumn Funerals in Bend, Oregon.
To contact Bev Watne, please email watnebeverly@yahoo.com or Beverly K Watne, 20760 Livengood Way, Bend, OR 97701
If you choose to send monetary donations, please send to: Heart `N Home Hospice at 1550 NE Williamson Blvd, Suite 120, Bend, OR 97701 Make checks payable to: The Hospice Promise Foundation