Paul Michael Pinsonneault was born on April 28, 1944, at Villa St. Vincent Hospital in Crookston, MN. He grew up and attended school in Red Lake Falls, MN. In 1966, he married Marlene Payment and worked for many years building homes at Detroiter Mobile Homes in Red Lake Falls.
In 1974, Paul married Kathy (Jurchen), and together they made their home in Crookston, MN, for 32 years. Paul was deeply involved in his community, contributing his time and talents to organizations such as the Valley Crossing Arts Council, Valley Woodcarvers, and the Polk County Historical Society, where he helped restore the pioneer house on the museum grounds. He also demonstrated blacksmithing during Pioneer Days and other local events. Paul and Kathy met through Crookston Community Theatre, where he frequently designed and built stage sets. He was honored with the Governor’s Award for Community Service for his dedication. In the late ’70s and early ’80s, Paul co-founded Crock and Knot with friends Bill Ray and Rick McMenamy, designing logos and interiors for local businesses, including Riverview Hospital. Later, he launched his own carpentry business, building decks and remodeling homes.
In the mid-1980s, Paul joined the Crookston Public School District as a carpenter, eventually overseeing building maintenance and grounds.
Paul was a man of many passions. He loved cooking and was known for his homemade breads and cookies. A talented woodcarver, he earned awards at art shows and sold his works at the art mall in Walker, MN. He found joy in camping and attending primitive rendezvous reenactments with Kathy and Rachel across Minnesota and North Dakota. The friends he met at these rendezvous were cherished and a lifetime of memories were made – one campfire at a time.
In 2006, Paul and Kathy retired to Walker, MN, where they spent 15 memorable years. They were often found side by side at their favorite penny slot machines across the tristate area. Many wonderful memories were made in Walker with family and friends.
In 2021, they moved to Moorhead, MN to be closer to family, and in 2023, relocated to Fargo, ND. Paul passed away peacefully on June 15, 2025, at Lilac Homes Memory Care in Moorhead after a brief battle with late-stage dementia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Nap and Marie Pinsonneault, and his sister, Carol Mickelson.
Paul is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Kathy; his brother Louie (Pat) Pinsonneault, his children Bryan (Randi) Berger, Scott Berger, and Rachel Schaub; his grandchildren Sara (Kevin) Praska, Stephany Berger, Devin (Elena) Berger, Tanner Aanstad, Hunter Schaub, and Jamie Schaub; and great-grandchildren Lucy and Evelyn Praska, and Beckham, Apollo, and Lucien Berger.
Paul was a kind and gentle soul, full of silent strength. Family was the most important thing to him and was always ready with a helping hand, a warm loaf of bread, or a lovingly carved gift. His absence will be deeply felt. His legacy of love, craftsmanship, and quiet generosity will live on in every life he touched.
Memorial Gathering: 2 pm Monday, June 23, 2025, at West Funeral Home and Life Tribute Center in West Fargo.
West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center
westfuneralhome.com
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