Paul L Bortnem

Pastor Paul L. Bortnem, age 71 of Arlington, died Monday, January 13, 2014 at the Sibley Medical Center in Arlington, MN. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 17 at Zion Lutheran Church in Arlington, MN. The Rev. James Carlson will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 4 to 6 p.m., with a 5:30 p.m. prayer service, at the Kolden Funeral Home in Arlington, and also one hour prior to the memorial service at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred. Paul was born April 29, 1942 to Harold and Vicky (Hoyer) Bortnem in Volga, SD. He married Rosine Englund on July 10, 1966. Paul's call to serve began in parish ministry as an intern in Wahpeton, ND followed by stops in Foremost, Provost, and Edmonton, AB Canada. He served as a Chaplain in Thief River Falls, MN and Lubbock, TX, and returned to parish ministry in Slaton and Posey, TX. He later served parishes as an interim in Tyler, Olivia, Bemidji, Glyndon, Lester Prairie, Bernadotte, Lafayette, and Swan Lake, MN and Jamestown, Hillsboro, Wahpeton, and Williston, ND. Paul was a faithful servant pastor, mentor, and counselor. He loved people and treasured the many friendships made during his years of ministry. Paul's faith and belief in the Good News centered his life and touched everyone he met. He loved spending time with family and friends, listening to his grandchildren play violin and attending their various sporting events, woodworking in his shop, reading a good book and sharing quiet moments with Rosine. Paul is survived by his wife, Rosine; children, Peter (Kristin) Bortnem of Cokato and Rebekah (Mark) Lundstrom of Arlington; grandchildren, Ella and Jens Lundstrom and Sé