Paul Lowell Andrews, aged 98, passed peacefully in his sleep at home on January 25, 2026, with family members at his side after a long and impactful life. He was born to Henry Lee Andrews and Alta Maude Piper Andrews on the family homestead, five miles south of Onamia on Bradbury Brook, during a snowstorm on December 22, 1927, which also happened to be his mother's and brother's birthday. He was one of four boys who grew up on that farm and attended grade school in a one room schoolhouse. In the 8th grade, Paul read an article in The Saturday Evening Post about a Civil Engineer who designed and built a bridge in South America, and he decided that was what he wanted to be, too. He graduated from Onamia High School, third in his class, in June of 1944 at the age of 16. That fall, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota – Minneapolis in pursuit of an engineering degree. After his freshman year there, he enlisted in the Army Corps of Engineers in December 1945. He served two tours with the military that first deployed him to the Panama Canal (1945-49) and then the Occupied Zone of Germany (1951-53). He was discharged from the army as a First Lieutenant in June 1953. Between those military stints, he continued his studies at the UM-MPLS, finally graduating with distinction and bachelor's degrees in Civil Engineering and Business Administration in June of 1955.

It was in 1952, during his tour in Germany that he met his future wife, Gerlinde "Linda" Urban on a double date. They continued their courtship by mail after Paul returned to the U.S. in June of 1953. During his winter break from UM-MPLS, Paul married her on December 28, 1954, in Mannheim, Germany. They quickly started their family (four children in three years which Paul described as "an heir, a pair, and a spare!") and some being born during his field assignments for his new employer, Burns & McDonnell, a consulting engineering company. They lived in Grand Forks, ND and the suburbs of Washington DC before settling in Kansas City, MO. Paul spent his entire career with this firm and made many more business trips for them, both domestically and internationally, including visits to Indonesia and Korea. One of his proudest achievements was securing a patent with co-worker Jerry Morrow on the "Clarification of Fluids", issued on June 19, 1984. Paul was a member of many professional, technical and honor societies. He retired as a vice-president and general manager of the civil/environmental division of his firm after 30 years of service in October of 1985.

Paul spent his years of retirement designing, building and caring for his beloved home on Mille Lacs Lake. He hired many locals, who became like family to him, to help him in this endeavor. He was an active member of the Onamia United Methodist Church, which was the one he grew up in and was where he said yes to Jesus as his Savior as a child. He resumed his relationships with many fellow members, considering them as family. He was also very active in many activities in the community, including dances and playing "500", supporting Mille Lacs Equal Rights Foundation, Citizens Equal Rights Foundation, Proper Economic Resource Management, and participating in the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow network. Not one to leave his vocation entirely, he joined the Lake Mille Lacs Association and the Mille Lacs Lake Watershed Management Group, where he shared his knowledge of environmental water issues with them. His later years were spent observing the wildlife in his yard, overseeing any home repair projects, soaking up the sun on his deck in summer, surveying his yard and instructing his family on various gardening practices. In the last few years, TV viewing of football and baseball (both sports which he played in high school), and British murder mysteries took up most of his time. He did his exercises somewhat faithfully so that he would be able to live out the remainder of his days (he was planning to live to 100, like his mother and brother!) in his own home. His family is exceedingly grateful for the Mille Lacs Health System Home Care & Hospice program and their team. Their help and support made it possible for Paul to pass away with dignity at home, a privilege he requested for himself, and one he honored for wife Linda twenty-six years ago.

Paul was a private man with a quiet faith and many diverse interests. He was ambitious and strived to better himself through learning, whether by taking classes and seminars, or reading. His house was filled with all kinds of books. He encouraged (and sometimes pushed!) others to be the best that they could be and not settle for less. He was known for his integrity, patriotism, generosity and perceptive wit. He loved spending time in the woods and shared his knowledge of it with his kids and grandkids. Woodworking (including cabinetry and furniture), gardening and photography were some of his hobbies. A man of few words, he took care of his family in the best way he knew how. Although he didn't express it verbally very often, they knew they were loved.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Linda, his older brothers, Harold and Elvin "Budd", and sisters-in-law Inez (Harold) and Joyce (Bob).

He is survived by his daughters, Heide (Brian) Petermann of Overland Park, KS; Karin (Claude) Page, Karla Roberts, and son David, all of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren Laura (who was Paul's primary caregiver for 5 years), Holly, and Derek (Makenzie) Petermann; Carey (Allie), and Harper (Carly) Page; Elliot (Caroline) Roberts and Taylor (David) Huffman; and 4 great-grandchildren; younger brother, Bob, and sister-in-law Marguerite (Budd), and many nieces and nephews.

Paul will be remembered at the Holy Cross Center in Onamia (102 Crosier Drive North) on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Visitation will be at 10 am, with the memorial service and celebration of life at 11 am, with lunch and fellowship following the ceremony.  Following the service, a video of it will be available on Pauls obituary page at www.methvenfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers please direct gifts to Onamia United Methodist Church, Mille Lacs Health System Hospice, or the National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders (https://swallowingdisorderfoundation.com/).

"We do not grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have died in him." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14