Paul T. Akre

Paul T. Akre

Long-time subscriber finally gets his story read.

Paul Akre, 86, died October 17^th in Sioux City, Iowa. He was a beloved man by his family, friends, and co-workers.

Paul was born, April 30, 1937, and raised in Woodside Township and graduated from Erskine High School in 1955. He was the son of Ingebret and Lily (Hammer) Akre and was baptized and confirmed at Hitterdal Lutheran Church in Maple Bay.

Several members of Lily’s family were charter members of Varnes Lutheran Church in Fertile. Ingebret emigrated from Norway in 1920, by the inspiration of his cousin, erstwhile local pastor J. E. H. Akre.

After Paul’s father died in 1954 in Erskine, Paul’s sister was in Oregon with a new family, and his brother Marvin left for the Air Force. Paul and his mother sold the family farm and moved to Oregon where Paul graduated from the University of Oregon.

Soon after, he served his two years in the Air Force and then began his long successful career with US Bank as a trust officer. He worked in Medford and Portland, Oregon; and Vancouver, Washington, before retiring as an Assistant Vice President in 1996.

For many years, Paul and Jean were actively involved in several Scandinavian organizations, particularly Scandinavian Heritage Foundation (Nordic Northwest) in Portland, Oregon.

Paul loved to travel domestically and internationally, having also returned several times for reunions in Erskine. After retirement, he and his wife Jean, whom he married October 17, 1971, traveled for many years to many places around the globe. Adventures included both visiting family members on their travels as well as safaris, cruises, and other tours.

One of Paul’s hobbies was also shared by his son, working on tracing the family tree and forming many new connections with family over the years. He also enjoyed collecting coins, stamps, and books, as well as fishing for salmon, halibut, and other species. Paul had kept subscriptions for decades to the Erskine Echo and Fertile Journal, staying updated on his childhood communities.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, sister Alfhild, two older brothers, and by several cousins in Canada, Norway, and the USA. He is survived by his wife, son Kris, daughter-in-law Laura, daughter Deanna, son-in-law Bill, two grandchildren, Thea and Lucas; his brother Marvin (Carol), four nieces and nephews, and cousins in Norway and Australia.

Services were held at their church in Sioux City on Sunday, October 22^nd. His burial is at Hitterdal Cemetery in Maple Bay, alongside his parents and brothers.

Memorial donations may be given to either their church, Holy Cross Lutheran Church (Dakota Dunes, SD) or the Hitterdal Cemetery Association (Contact Kris for details).