Paul Henry Ellens, 53, of Fargo, N.D., died March 2, 2016, in his home from natural causes.
Visitation was March 9, 2016, at Community Baptist Church in Fargo. Celebration of Life was March 10 at the church.
Arrangements by Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home in Fargo. (NO PHOTO)
Paul Henry Ellens greeted his parents for the first time on Nov. 5, 1962, at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis. His love of nature took hold as a young boy, wandering the green valleys around his home in New Richmond, Wis. He was a natural athlete as well, quickly becoming skilled at waterskiing, hockey and alpine skiing. As a teenager, through family and friends, Paul discovered new wonders of nature through experiences fishing, hunting and farming. In these tender years, he began to formulate the precept that would guide him throughout his life: Relationships with people and nature are what matters.
In high school, he discovered another love—music—which he demonstrated with his voice in choir and by playing slide trombone. After graduating high school from Faribault, Minn., in 1981, he attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where his theology classes fed his hunger to reach a deeper understanding of his relationship to the world and God. There, he raised his voice in praise as a bass in the Nordic Choir, and filled the college airways with the first Christian rock radio show, “Pulpit Rock.” It was through choir he met the woman that he would share his early adult years with, as husband and wife. Together, in 1985, they answered the call for Paul to become a pastor in the Lutheran Church, attending Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.
They welcomed their first child, Elizabeth Rose, on Oct. 7, 1986, and their second child, Joshua Immanuel, on Dec. 27, 1988. In between, Paul interned at Saron Lutheran Church in Big Lake, Minn., where he and the senior pastor just happened to be fishing enthusiasts. With his baby face, Paul was often confused with the church youth he led.
Following his graduation from seminary in 1989, he was ordained as a pastor in the ELCA on July 16, 1989, after having accepted a call to Cass Lake, Minn., where he served as solo pastor from 1989 through 1992. While in Cass Lake, the couple welcomed their third child, Rachel Grace, and Paul formed relationships not only in the church, but as a volunteer firefighter and EMT.
God called Paul’s young family to serve the congregation at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd, Minn., in 1993, but soon he realized that God had a different plan and place for his ministry. After battling several years of critical health issues that never, completely, broke his faith, he emerged to embark on a new journey, using his talents and skills in different and creative ways. He maintained his love of working with his hand. From handy-work in the home, to landscaping a beautiful yard for the parents that he loved, Paul was the family’s go-to guy; his knowledge and intelligence never ceased to amaze his family and friends. He also embarked on a new career with Magnum Trucking in Fargo, N.D., first as an over-the-road truck driver. With his dog Dakota by his side, he covered miles of the country, stopping at museums and national parks any chance he was blessed with. With his attention to detail and safety, he quickly advanced into management with the company, and eventually filled a new role as driver-relations coordinator, involving Paul in the training and mentorship of drivers. The career was a good fit for Paul and, over the years, working for Magnum and living in Fargo, he developed skilled drivers (helping to keep our roads safer), while developing friendships not only with the people he worked with, but within the broader community as well. He brought his Lutheran background to a local Reformed Baptist church in Fargo, where he was actively engaged, and, through a shared interest in scripture and the theology of Martin Luther, sparked a strong friendship with the Pastor. He, of course, maintained his relationship with nature, enjoying fishing any chance he could get, while also actively encouraging others to develop those relationships with the world. Teaching children about sustainable fishing, for example, was undoubtedly one of his favorite things to do.
Relationships were the bedrock of Paul’s life, and at the pinnacle were his bonds with the Trinitarian-God, creation, his beloved children and family members, including those with his church family at Community Baptist Church in Fargo. Although Paul had to manage his physical health, it was those relationships that sustained him and gave him the strength to live; in doing so, Paul inspired so many others.
Paul shared his last cup of coffee with us and joined God’s choir on March 1st-2nd, 2016, no doubt thinking, “Until we meet again, my friends—enjoy a safe and happy drive.”
Paul is survived by his children, Elizabeth, Joshua, and Rachel; his parents, Don and Carol Ellens; his sister, Nancy (Ellens) Coughlin and husband Scott; nephews Jake, Brady and Jonah, and niece Abby Coughlin; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.