Paul Guenther, 53, of Mahnomen, MN, passed away Tuesday, June 27, 2017, at his sister Joyce's home in Detroit Lakes, MN, after a long, hard fought, battle with esophageal cancer.

Paul Gustavis Guenther was born September 20, 1963, to George and Patricia (Jenkins) Guenther in Detroit Lakes. Paul attended Mahnomen High School and graduated with the Class of 1981. Following high school, Paul joined the National Guard. Due to an injury during basic training, he was medically discharged. Paul then furthered his education at Moorhead Technical College in the refrigeration/air conditioning field. Over the years, Paul had many jobs in the welding and mechanical fields, before turning to truck driving as his main job for many years. He drove for Winter Truck Line and Trnka Transport, often training in new drivers for both companies. After driving for others, Paul decided to purchase his own truck. He drove for a few years as owner operator before returning home and staying on the family farm in LaGarde Township. He farmed with his brother, Mike, for a few years. During this time, Paul was a great mentor for his nieces and nephews, teaching them about farming and taking care of equipment. When Mike's health declined, Paul purchased the blading business from him. He contracted with several townships, and continued to blade until he sold the business to his nephew Nick. Paul purchased the home farm in 2014, and started PGF trucking to support his passion for farming.

Over the years, Paul has been a guardian for his family, friends, and neighbors; often house sitting and taking care of their pets and livestock while they were on vacations or attending family functions. Although he never married or had children of his own, Paul was chosen as a father figure by Jeremy and Angie as they spent many summers on the farm with Paul. They have a special relationship that is still strong today. John Kirsch was also a special kid to Paul as they spent a lot of time together while Paul was living in Mahnomen taking care of his mother. Paul had been known to say "I have no kids, but I have many children". Paul has several Godchildren: Sharon Jurina, Jenny Guenther, Chris Winter and Gradyn and Paislee Schoenborn. He was always known as the go to guy for many of the nieces and nephews. Paul had many close friends that were like family. They always knew that he was there if they needed help. Paul was a very smart and talented individual, always willing to help others before taking care of himself. When family, friends and neighbors had mechanical issues or needed something welded or repaired they called on Paul.

Paul had a passion for riding motorcycle from a young age, often going on rides with friends in his younger days and venturing farther in recent years. He loved riding his motorcycle! He truly enjoyed his trip to Texas and through the Yellowstone National Park, but his favorite ride was the Black Hills and Sturgis trek in South Dakota with family and friends. Paul also loved fishing and going on weekend trips to Lake of the Woods. He was an excellent marksman, sighting in guns for his brothers and hunting buddies and teaching his nephews how to hunt. He would have a gleam in his eye when he knew he had taught you how to shoot and you scored. Paul enjoyed smoking meat and made the best barbeque ribs, which he would proudly share at family functions and the friend's reunion.

Paul is survived by his mother, Patricia (Jenkins) Guenther, of Mahnomen; sisters: Debbie (Cory) Larson of Bemidji, MN, Judy (Keith) Francis of Twin Valley, MN, Sandy (Jay) Jurina of Mahnomen, and Joyce (Charles) Grieger of Detroit Lakes; brothers, Dan (Lisa) Guenther, and Richard Guenther both of Mahnomen; sister in law, Robin Guenther; 22 nieces and nephews, and 42 great-nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, George Guenther; sister, Shirley; and brother, Mike.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, July 1, 2017, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Beaulieu, MN.

Visitation will take place at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Friday, June 30, 2017, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, with a Prayer Service and Rosary beginning at 6:30 pm. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to Mass on Saturday.

Burial will be in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery.