Paul Richard Bostrom, age 80, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2022, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital surrounded by family. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, September 16 at North Isanti Baptist Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. A meal will be served after the service. Interment will be at 2 P.M. at Isanti Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Pregnancy Resource Center/Lex Specialty Clinic, Children Shelter of Cebu, Samaritans Purse or a charity of choice in Paul’s memory.
Paul was born December 15, 1941, to Edward and Ruth Bostrom. He was born and grew up on his parent’s farm east of Isanti. He was the sixth of seven children. December 7, 1963, he was united in marriage to Janet Broddy. They purchased the farm from his parent’s estate, and he farmed there the rest of his life. Born and raised on the land that he farmed longer than the previous 3 generations combined. Paul and Janet had 2 daughters, Julie and Jill.
Paul taught his daughters to work hard and have faith in Jesus Christ. His family will always remember all the support he gave them. He was active at North Isanti Baptist Church. The passion of his life was farming the land, John Deere equipment, and his Holstein cattle.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by brothers and their wives; John and Beverly Bostrom, Don and Marion Bostrom and Kenny and Harriet Bostrom; brothers-in-law, John E. Larson and Harold Johnson; niece, Cindy Dahlin and nephew, Tim Larson.
Paul is survived by his wife of 58 years, Janet; daughters Julie (Scott) Rosenberg and Jill (Steve) Stavos; grandchildren Ryan (Kathrine) Rosenberg, Kaelyn Rosenberg (Tony Pham), Brett (Elly) Stavos, Megan (Nick) Booker; four great grandsons, William, Alexander, Matthew and Bennett; Baby Booker arriving in March; sisters Mary Ann Johnson and Liz Larson; brother Roger (Joan) Bostrom; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Without a doubt, Paul was one of hardest working, generous, and adept people I have ever known. I am thankful for the memories out at the Bostrom’s farm when I was a much younger man and always appreciated the wonderful food and conversations with Paul, Janet, Julie, and Jill. Words cannot express the sadness we feel at your loss. May God give you strength during this difficult time.
I feel incredibly blessed to have met Paul recently. I recognized him because he looked and sounded just like his wonderful brother. I spent just a very small amount of my day with him, but I feel that the time was a gift. His demeanor was gentle and kind and his conversation was that of a friend. He loved his family and was incredibly humble about the farm he had lived in for his 80 years. Please know that he touched someone’s heart, my heart, that day I met him. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. You will all be in my thoughts and my prayers.
Paul was always ready to help other farmers out and share his wisdom. A gentle soul that cared deeply for his family and friends. Sending prayers of comfort to Janet and family.
Paul will be so missed by anyone that knew him.
I enjoyed serving with him on the church finance committee, he always had a good encouraging word and a smile to pass on.
He was a great friend and will be missed as he ushered us with a big grin on his face to what he called “our” seats when we visited NIBC.
Our condolences to Janet and the family at this very sad time.
Sending the Bostrom family our deepest condolences for the loss of your loved one. A donation was made in Paul’s name to the Children’s Center of Cebu.
With love, Cory and Shannon Prybilla.
Janet,
I have very fond memories of the many times that I worked for you and Paul on the farm as a boy. I remember the first time that I drove the “G” John Deere while baling hay. I think I was about 10 years old at the time. The “G” did not have a live PTO, so Paul taught me how to shift quickly into neutral when I stopped so the hay wouldn’t plug up the baler. It took me a couple of tries before I got the hang of it. Eventually, I moved to wagon loading bales. I remember that day because when we were finished, Paul handed me 4 one dollar bills. I felt rich. Over the years, Paul and I baled thousands of bales of hay together.
I vividly remember when Paul had hernia surgery and I did the milking during his recovery. One night, a gas heater in our house malfunctioned and Linda and I became unconscious from the fumes. The ambulance took us to the hospital where my room was just down the hall from Paul’s. He was shocked to see me when I walked into his room in a hospital gown.
Paul was also my Sunday school teacher during my 7th and 8th grade years. He was both a spiritual and work mentor to me.
Please know that Paul had a very positive influence on my life that I will never forget.
Janet,
I have fond memories of the many times that I worked for you and Paul on the farm as a boy. I remember the first time that I drove the “G” John Deere while baling hay. The “G” did not have a live PTO, so Paul taught me how to shift into neutral quickly when stopping, so the hay wouldn’t plug up the baler. It took me a couple of times before I got the hang of it. I remember that day because when we finished, Paul handed me 4 one dollar bills. I felt rich. Eventually, I graduated to the wagon loading bales. Over the years, Paul and I baled many thousands of bales of hay together.
I vividly remember when Paul had hernia surgery and I did the milking during his recovery. One night, a gas heater in our house malfunctioned causing Linda and I to become unconscious from the fumes. The ambulance came and took us to the hospital where my room was just down the hall from Paul’s. He was shocked to see me when I walked into his room wearing a hospital gown.
Paul was also my Sunday school teacher during my 7th and 8th grade years. He was both a spiritual and work mentor to me. He was always very calm, patient, and considerate to me. He had a wonderful smile and a warm heart.
Please know that Paul had a very positive influence on my life, that I will never forget.