Paul Dennis
Osmundson

Paul Dennis Osmundson was born to Emily Jean Osmundson and Dermot Paul Madden on April 14th, 1952 in Litchfield, MN. Following Dermot's death in an auto accident in 1953, Emily remarried Glen Osmundson in 1957. He was the oldest of eight siblings, Rebecca, Dinah, Marj, David, Ted, Dan, and Amy, whom he loved deeply and enjoyed. Paul had many fond memories and often shared memories of childhood on the family farm with his grandparents, Harvey and Eva Barnett.

He graduated from Litchfield High School in 1970. He often recounted stories of wrestling, football, and farm work when not in school. After high school he attended St. Cloud State University, working over summer breaks as an over-the-road truck mover and driver, where he perfected the finest trailer-backing skills in the upper Midwest. Graduating in 1976 with a double major in chemistry and geology, he built a reputation as a skilled and knowledgeable engineer over a forty-year career specializing in fluid filtration and separation systems—beginning with Osmonics in 1977 and continuing through GE Osmonics, GE Water & Process Technologies, Pentair, and Nanostone Water—and continued as a consultant in his early retirement. He traveled the world extensively during his career, visiting six continents and perfecting a passion as a consummate haggler and barterer for all kinds of unique goods in markets and bazaars across the globe. While Paul enjoyed getting a good deal, he enjoyed people a great deal more. In his travels around the world, he was able to ingratiate and become connected with those he worked and interacted with in so many different cultures. He was known not only for what he knew, but for how generously he shared that knowledge with others.

In 1978 he married Ruth Smith and welcomed two children, Caleb Madden and Anna Almazan-Osmundson, into their family in 1982 and 1985, respectively. While he was passionate about his career, he showed his greatest dedication and passion as the best dad in the world—a title which was hard earned and lovingly bestowed upon him year after year. As a father, his love shone through in all aspects of Caleb and Anna’s lives. He put his family's needs above his own and worked hard to provide for them, while spending his evenings and weekends sharing his knowledge and passions with his children. His children had a childhood filled with memories of evenings and weekends spent bicycling, skiing, canoeing, photographing, and camping. The chores needed to be taken care of as well, and he spent countless hours teaching his kids and including them in all manner of grown-up tasks. His skills were wide and encompassing, and he excelled equally well as a mechanic in a garage with a partially disassembled car, a seamstress with a sewing machine or needle and thread, or a baker and cook working on one of many recipes he was known for. While all of these hobbies and skills were important, he imparted his greatest lessons through his perseverance, kindness, humor, and strength through gentleness. While he knew a lot about a lot of things, his true expertise was as a loving father, and later grandfather. Paul and Ruth divorced in 2001. In 2007 his first granddaughter, Adela Osmundson, was born. After the unexpected death of Adela’s father, Paul went above and beyond to support Anna and Adela. Adela experienced a childhood filled with memories of her loving grandfather, and they shared a special connection. In 2011 he met Mary Sloan, his partner and companion over the past 15 years. His second granddaughter, Lily, was born in 2019, and despite his advancing years, Paul showcased his unique ability to connect with a young child and share his innate joy in exploring the world. Paul was an amazing grandfather who taught his granddaughters everything he could. He enjoyed spending time with Mary and received her loving attention as a thoughtful companion and dedicated caretaker during the both difficult and meaningful 16 months preceding his death. Prior to his illness, he enjoyed time spent on the pickleball court, modifying his golf cart, helping his neighbors modify their golf carts, relaxing with friends during nightly neighborhood gatherings, riding his motorcycle, working on the land and garden at Mary’s, and enjoying the warmth of Florida in the winter. Mostly, he enjoyed the life that he and Mary built together.

Paul inspired a gentle love in all those around him. He was known even from childhood for taking things apart to figure out how they worked and how he could put them back together. His siblings have many memories of Paul’s teasing manner and over-the-top jokes. They remember him as a steadfast supporter and caretaker in their lives. He loved animals, even the pets he often protested when his children brought them home. He was kind, caring, and strong—always opening his doors to his family (and his granddaughter's cat who hated him) and was never without a sentimental mug on his mug rack, most displaying his many accolades as truly the greatest father and grandfather in the world. Without needing to be asked, Paul always extended a helping hand, whether to fix, explain, or share his knowledge. He was always up for a good debate or barter. He was a strong man who guided his children and granddaughters in all the best ways possible. His daughter has a chronic inability to remember her coat, and their family had a yearly tradition of cutting down the Christmas tree. Paul, without fail, would end up coatless in the snow while his daughter felt the warmth of both his coat and his love. He was a wildly supportive and caring grandfather to Adela and Lily. Paul and Mary shared many adventures and quiet times together. At the end of his life, he was peaceful and surrounded by those who felt his love in their bones and who love him so dearly.

Paul will always be remembered as a foundational presence in the lives of those whom he knew. He is missed very dearly and his devoted love continues past his departure.