Paul Fornander

Paul Fornander, 96, of Chappell passed away Tuesday evening, October 16, 2018 at the Sedgwick County Hospital in Julesburg with his loving family by his side.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 20, 2018 at the Berea Lutheran Church north of Chappell with Sister Anne Hall officiating.  Burial will follow in the Berea Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday at the Holechek-Bondegard Funeral Home in Chappell.  There will be a prayer service held at 7:00 p.m.

Memorials in Paul’s name can be made to the Berea Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund or to the Gideons.

A lifelong resident of Chappell, Paul was born to Swedish immigrants Swan August Fornander and Anna Sophia (Simonsson) Fornander at the family farm in Deuel County on March 5, 1922. He was baptized and confirmed at Berea Lutheran Church and remained a member there until his death.

Paul graduated from Chappell High School in 1939 and shortly after enlisted in the Navy where he served during WW2 as an aviation storekeeper 1st Class in the Pacific, Guam and Okinawa respectively. Upon returning home from the service, he farmed in the Pine Bluff, Wyoming and Chappell areas. In 1956, he married Frances Marie Bjorklun, daughter of Frank and Clara Bjorklun from Haxtun, CO. The couple had three daughters. Paul was a nurturing and devoted husband, father, brother, and uncle. Though busy with farming, raising sheep, and a full time job at the Farmer’s Elevator Co., he always had time to support his daughters in their school and 4H activities, play ball in the yard, and make them laugh with his dry sense of humor. Paul was a faithful and humble disciple of Jesus Christ and served his church in a variety of ways including the choir, the Berea Lutheran Men’s Quartet, church council, and the Lutheran Church Men’s Organization. He was an avid reader and student of the Bible. He comforted the bereaved at many funerals with his music, often sung in Swedish, and was a gentle and compassionate friend to many.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two older brothers, Neal Fornander and wife Marguerite, Joel Fornander and wife Alice; and a nephew, Garold Fornander.  Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Francie, and their children, Paulette and Bill Seaworth of Fort Collins, CO; Les and Nancy Eckels of Huron, SD, and Lisa Gorham of Fort Collins. He is also survived by grandchildren Majken (Eckels) and Jonathan Fullner of Lincoln, NE; Willy Seaworth of Fort Collins, CO; Haley Gorham of Fort Collins, CO; and Parker Gorham of ,CA as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family members.