Sigma Pi Alumni Foundation

Paul A. Axelsen, 87, of Menomonie, died Monday April 28, 2014, at Mayo Clinic Health System-Menomonie.

Paul was born May 17, 1926, in Sparta. He was the son of Anders and Hazel (Meacham) Axelsen. He attended grade school and high school in Sparta, graduating in 1944.

Paul served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army Air Corps and was honorably discharged. Paul received his B.S. degree from Stout Institute in industrial education, printing in 1950. He spent a year at Ashbaugh Printing in Eau Claire before moving to Owatonna, Minn. where he was employed by Jostens, American Yearbook Division.

Paul married Beatrice Sagstetter on Sept. 15, 1951, at St. John Catholic Church in Plum City. Paul worked for a short time teaching printing at Pattengill Junior High in Lansing, Mich. In 1955, Paul returned to Stout where he received his masters degree. While there, the enrollment jumped and Paul was offered a teaching position in the printing department.

Sixteen years later, Paul left the printing department and transferred to the planning area. The Administration Building, Science & Technology Building, Child Study Building and several other projects were underway at the time. Paul prepared Environmental Impact Studies, administered the Relocation Law, and maintained the room inventory and other paperwork required by central administration.

Paul worked at several newspapers and print shops before and after he was married. He got his start in printing, using a foot pedal platen press at home that his father bought at an auction. Paul worked for the Monroe County Democrat where they printed the “Real McCoy” paper for the Army stationed at Fort McCoy. While there, he learned to operate the linotype machine. Paul also worked printing jobs at Powell and Rawlins, Wyo. While teaching at Stout, Paul spent several summers as “vacation help” at the Chronotype in Rice Lake and The Dunn County News in Menomonie.

Paul retired in 1987. Paul & Bea spent 20 years wintering in Mesa, Ariz. and enjoying summers in Menomonie. While in Mesa, Paul kept busy in the lapidary and silversmith shops making rings, earrings and necklaces from silver and polished stones; many clocks were made from polished slabs of rock.

In 1977, Paul and Bea moved from their all-electric ranch house and terraced backyard to a condo in Wellington Estates for easier living. In the fall of 2012, Paul and Bea moved into the Comforts of Home Assisted Living.

Paul is survived by his wife, Beatrice; his son, Anders “Andy” (Kari) of Temple, Texas; three grandsons, Aaron, Adam and Alec; two sisters-in-law, Berniece Marte and Emily Axelsen; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Dick, in 2005; and a sister in infancy.

Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. on Friday May 2, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Menomonie, with Rev. Thomas Krieg officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or School (910 Wilson Ave. Menomonie, WI 54751).

Online condolences may be made at www.rhielfuneralhome.com Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Menomonie is serving the family.