Paul J. Burnett

Paul J. Burnett, passed away peacefully on April 18th at the age of 97. Born in Mankato, MN, Paul was the second of five children born to Elsa (Vater) and Leo Burnett. They later moved to Albert Lea where he attended St. Theodore’s Catholic grade school and graduated from Albert Lea High School. At the age of 17 Paul entered the US Marine Corps where he trained as a radio operator. Following his time in service, he attended the University of St. Thomas on the GI Bill and majored in business administration. It was while in college that he met, and later married, Shirley Barrett. While raising four daughters, the family made multiple moves for his career in commercial finance, including time in Dallas, TX and Des Moines, IA before finding their way back to St. Paul in 1970. Paul always prioritized his family above all else and thoroughly enjoyed the recent arrivals of his five (soon to be eight!) great grandchildren. We will always hold dear the memory of him relaxing at his Wisconsin cabin, sitting next to his red Weber grill, cigar in hand, feeding sunflower seeds to the local chipmunks. 

Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; his daughter, Barbara; his brother, Phil; and his sister, Carolyn. He is survived by his daughters, Janice (Douglas) Fladeboe, Mary (John) Gelderman, and Kathryn (Todd) Tschida, as well as his brother, Richard, and his sister, Ann. He will be greatly missed by his five grandchildren: David (Brittany), Mark, Paul (Camille), Max (Jill), and Johanna (Matt). 

We would like to extend a special thank you to The Pillars Hospice Oakdale, Allina Hospice, and Lilydale Senior Living for the care and compassion he received. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29, at the Historic Church of St. Peter in Mendota, with visitation beginning one hour earlier in the main church. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery, and all are invited to join the family for a luncheon afterward in the main church. 

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Pillars Hospice or the charity of your choice.