Paul Voss

Psalm 139 1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. ... 13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Paul Arthur Voss was born on August 27, 1933 in Tawas City, MI. He was the third of seven children born to Rev. Walter Voss and his wife, Amanda (nee Lange). He was given the new birth of holy baptism September 10, 1933 at Emmanuel Church in Tawas City, MI.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.

Paul received a thorough Christian training from his parents, Lutheran elementary and Sunday School teachers while at Salem Lutheran Church, Owasso, MI and Trinity Lutheran Church, Jenera, Ohio. Paul professed the Christian faith at a confirmation service held June 15, 1947 at Trinity. He was given thememory verse of John 11, 25-26: “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” Paul went on to attend Michigan Lutheran Seminary high school, Saginaw, MI and Northwestern College, Watertown, WI, and Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN.

3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. 5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.

On May 28, 1975 Paul graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and then married Diane (nee Kloke) on June 22, 1975. The Lord blessed Paul and Diane with a daughter, Noel. On July 13, 1975 Paul was ordained into the ministry and served at St. Katherine’s Lutheran Church, Menomonie, WI and St John’s Lutheran Church, Colfax, WI, both congregations in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. After serving two years in the ministry, he decided to retire from his call.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

After retiring from his call, he and his wife moved to the Twin Cities where he worked as a machinist at a manufacturing company. In 1991, the family joined Berea Ev. Lutheran Church, Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC). While in the CLC, Paul preached at a number of congregations. Paul also did charitable work for Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul. He was instrumental in founding and organizing the Friends of Oakland Cemetery Society (FOLCS). They worked at maintaining the dignity and beauty of the historic institution.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Paul loved hearing and studying God’s Word and singing his Savior’s praises in church and in choir. Daily devotions were a mainstay in his family life. Other interests included watching his favorite football teams, reading, and bird watching. 16 in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Just after noon on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 the Lord called Paul to the heavenly home which Jesus died and rose to earn for him. The time of Paul’s earthly pilgrimage was 87 years, 10 months, and 16 days. Paul is survived by his wife of 46 years, Diane, and daughter Noel, along with his brothers John Voss and David Voss, sisters Mrs. Howard (Ruth) Rauch, Mrs. Ken (Elisabeth) Wells, and Mrs. Robert (Rhoda) Holbrook, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his parents, brother Carl, and brother-in-law, Howard Rauch. Paul’s mortal remains will be interred at Oakland Cemetery, St Paul, MN, to await the resurrection at the Savior’s return in glory on the Last Day.

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” Revelation 14:13

Other bulletin information:

A memorial service for Paul will be held at Berea Ev. Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., Pastor Nathan Pfeiffer presiding. Visitation will take place 1 hour prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Paul’s memory may be given to CLC Kinship, Oakland Cemetery, St Paul, HCMC, Minneapolis, MN.