Paul J. Woody

Paul J. Woody, age 61 of Linwood Township, Minnesota, died following a difficult illness and Parkinson’s diagnosis on Monday, December 1, 2025. Paul was born on June 2, 1964 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Paul grew up with a spirit of curiosity, loyalty, and a deep sense of responsibility—qualities that would define his entire life.

He graduated from Park Center High School in 1983 and had already begun what would become more than a decade of proud service in the United States Army Reserve, serving from 1982 to 1994. Paul believed in duty, in showing up for others, and in carrying his share of the load—values he lived by every single day.

After high school, Paul pursued his education with characteristic determination. He earned an Associate of Arts Degree from North Hennepin Community College in June 1988, a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in May 1991, and a Master of Science Degree from St. Cloud State University in August 1992. In addition to this, he also completed advance schooling in the electrician’s trade. He was a lifelong learner who believed deeply in sharpening his skills and putting them to work in service to others.

Paul built a long and respected career in Medical Device Quality Engineering, contributing his expertise to St. Jude’s Medical, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Accelent, ATS Medical, and most recently Velosity in Forest Lake, Minnesota. His coworkers describe him as steady, meticulous, kind, and unfailingly dependable—the kind of colleague everyone hopes to have.

For more than 35 years, Paul made his home in Linwood, where he created a life filled with purpose, hard work, and joy. He loved snowmobiling in what he proudly called “God’s Country,” the Lake Vermilion area—riding at its best, he would say. Summers brought him just as much happiness, especially boating on the Crosslake/Whitefish Chain, feeling the sun and breeze in the place he cherished. He treasured having a blast with his brother and cousins at the drag race track, where laughter, adrenaline, and family time came together in a way only Paul could fully appreciate. He adored his nephew, Alex and nieces, Amanda, Hannah and Haylee and showed his love by taking them boating, setting anchor on the sand bar, fishing and even hiding treasure for them to find on the shoreline of Rush Lake.

He also found deep fulfillment in planting and caring for his trees, building and repairing anything that needed fixing, tackling as many projects as time allowed, and even completing an enormous addition to his home entirely on his own. If something needed doing, Paul simply rolled up his sleeves.

Paul was, above all else, a giver. He had a heart of gold and always placed the needs of others before his own. He was loyal, hardworking, protective, and gentle—a faithful servant-hearted man who brought calm to the storms of life. He supported those around him with perspective, patience, and unwavering love. He showed his devotion not through words alone, but through countless acts of kindness and service. No one could ask for a better brother, son, friend, uncle, cousin, neighbor, or colleague.

We take comfort in believing that Paul is now in complete and heavenly peace, reunited with his mother, Carole Woody, who preceded him in death.

Paul is deeply loved and forever remembered by his father, Gerald Woody; brother, Daniel Woody; his sister, Nancy Haack (Doug); his nephew, Alex (April) Haack; his nieces, Amanda Haack, Hannah Woody, and Haylee Woody; along with extended family, friends, neighbors, and all who were blessed to know him.

Our hearts are broken by this loss, but we carry his legacy with us. Paul’s kindness, his steady presence, his willingness to help at a moment’s notice, and the love he gave so freely will continue to guide us. He was our fierce protector, our helper, our calm—and we will miss him beyond measure.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 15, 2025 at the Church of Saint Peter, 1250 South Shore Drive, Forest Lake, Minnesota. Visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m., Sunday, December 14, 2025 at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake and one hour prior to the mass at the church. Private interment will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NAMI.org/fundraiser/6859209?is_new=true">https://donate.NAMI.org/fundraiser/6859209?is_new=true