David Raymond Pauly

David Raymond Pauly was born July 20, 1935 in Walker, MN, the only child of Raymond and Ruth Pauly. He died suddenly August 17, 2026 at age 91 at his home in Afton, Minnesota.

Dave's mom was a nurse, and he lived with her and other relatives in multiple states growing up, including Minnesota, Texas and Washington. He spent his high school years in Nevis, MN where he met his future wife Sandra. 

After high school, Dave attended Concordia College. Following his sophomore year of college, Dave joined the Navy and served 2 years active duty and 6 years in the reserves. His service included tours to Japan and the Philippines as a radioman on the USS Worcester (CL-144). He and Sandy were married at 21 while Dave was in the Navy and returned together to Long Beach, California. After Dave completed his active service in the Navy, Dave and Sandy moved to Minnetonka, MN where Dave worked at the greenhouse owned by his dad and he also completed his college education at the University of Minnesota with a degree in floriculture. They were blessed with their first son David. Dave was then asked to work for Kakach Rose Greenhouses in Glen Lake at which time their son Eric was born. Their roses were grown for Twin City Floral for resale and picked up daily. After 3 years, he was recruited by 3M to work in their greenhouses which brought them to their lifelong home in Afton and the birth of their daughter Susan.

Dave was a walking encyclopedia and a lifelong learner. He spent 25 years at 3M and was an inventor on a number of patents. He loved to read, travel, was a stamp collector and liked to write puns. After retiring from 3M, he worked for the Red Cross doing out-of-town blood drives. He also organized blood drives at their church. He participated in 3 church construction teams in Europe and volunteered at the Evangelical Free Church headquarters in Bloomington. He was a frequent and long-time volunteer, helping both kindergartners and adult refugees learn to read. Earlier, over a 10-year period while his kids were in school, he and Sandy hosted many foster children and exchange students. After Dave's retirement from 3M, Dave and Sandy lived in Tianjin, China for over ten months in 1990-91. They later hosted several Chinese individuals who lived in their home. 

Dave wrote that to be remembered as a follower of Christ would be the highest, greatest and most sublime of all circumstances. He read through the Bible on a number of occasions. A favorite scripture was Proverbs 3:5-6 which reads "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths (ESV).

He is deeply missed by his wife of nearly 70 years, Sandra, his children David (Kristen) Pauly, Eric (Cathy) Pauly, Susan (Cullen) Vaughn, his grandkids Ashley (James), Gunnar (Emily), Paige, Conner, Colten and Evan. He was blessed with a great-grandson Jaxon.

Services to be held on Wednesday, September 2 at Hope Church of Oakdale at 7910 15th St N, Oakdale, MN. Visitation at 10:00 am and service at 11:00. Navy Honor Guard and internment on Thursday, September 3 at 11:00 am at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Meet at Assembly Area #4 at 10:45 AM.