A more detailed story is in my database, along with several other pictures that will be used in the final version in the Manning Veterans' history book.
For now this shows some basic information about Paul's service.
Paul was inducted into the Army Infantry on October 1943. He trained at Camp Roberts, California, and served with the 90th Infantry 357th Regiment ETO. He landed on Omaha Beach D-Day +6 on his 19th birthday and fought in five major battles: Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Central Europe, and Rhineland. Paul was discharged in December 1945 with the rank of Sergeant and received five major battle stars.
Memorial Service
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2015, 11:30 AM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, MANNING, IOWA
PASTOR VICKI FISHER, OFFICIANT
SHERYL DAMMANN, CO-OFFICIANT
Music "I WAS THERE To HEAR YOUR
BORNING CRY" "HYMN OF PROMISE" CONGREGATION
JOANN KARSTEN, ORGANIST
Honorary Urn Bearers PAUL'S GRANDCHILDREN
Private Interment with Military
Honors VAIL CEMETERY
AMERICAN LEGION EMIL EWOLDT POST 22
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST 3517
>PAUL'S FAMILY WISHES TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE FOR YOUR
KINDNESS AND INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR LUNCH AND FELLOWSHIP AT THE UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH FOLLOWING THE SERVICE.
Paul Lewis, son of Maurice and Pauline (Erlandson) Bjorkgren, was born June 12, 1925, at Vail, Iowa. He grew up in Vail and attended school there, graduating from Vail High School in 1942.
He moved to California with his parents following graduation and worked there until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1943. During World War II Paul took part in the landing at Omaha Beach and for his service he was awarded 5 major battle stars. Paul returned to Iowa after his honorable discharge in 1948. He then attended and graduated from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls in 1951. He first taught in Underwood from 1951 to 1955, and then he taught before becoming Superintendent at Charter Oak-Ute from 1955 to 1967. He then became Superintendent at Alta High School for 3 years before accepting the Superintendent position at Manning High School for 16 years. After retiring from education he was secretary/treasurer for Mutual Insurance Association of Iowa for 10 years before retiring in 1996.
Paul and Norma (Pieper) were united in marriage on February 8, 1946, in Vail, Iowa. To this union three children were born: Victoria, Keith, and Bradley.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Manning, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3517 and American Legion Emil Ewoldt Post 22. Paul enjoyed golfing in his spare time. He was also an avid sports fan and loved watching his children and grandchildren in their sporting events.
Paul and Norma lived in Manning for 44 years before moving to Denison, Iowa in April of 2015. Paul passed away on Monday, July 6, 2015, at the age of 90 years and 24 days.
Preceding Paul in death are his parents, brothers Robert (Lois) Bjorkgren and Arthur (Maryanna) Bjorkgren; brothers-in-law Bill Martin, Ralph Pieper, Roy (Leota) Pieper, Charles Pieper and Lloyd Pieper and sister-in-law Maxine (Edwin) Magill.
He is survived by his wife Norma Bjorkgren of Denison, Iowa; children Vicki (Steve) Shaw of Edgar, Nebraska; Keith (Pat) Bjorkgren of Lakeside, Iowa, and Brad (Michele) Bjorkgren of Urbandale, Iowa; grandchildren Brent (Sondra) Price, Brittany (Troy) Sidders, Nathan (Heidi) Bjorkgren, Brian (Ashley) Bjorkgren, Beth Bjorkgren, Jacob Bjorkgren and Benjamin Bjorkgren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister Marie Martin of Berkley, California; sisters-in-law Esther Pieper of Vail, Iowa, Barbara Pieper of Chico, California, and Verna Pieper of Denison, Iowa; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.