Paul T. Vangerud was born to Carl and Ella (Simmons) Vangerud on February 3, 1933, in Fargo, ND. He lived on the Vangerud farm west of Kindred, ND with his parents; sister, Dorothy; and brother, Richard. His father died in 1934. The family moved to Kindred in 1938.
Paul attended school in Kindred and Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Medicine from the University of North Dakota Medical School in 1957 and his MD degree from the University of Kansas in 1959. From 1959-1961, Paul served a one-year internship and one-year medical residency at St. Luke’s Hospital, Fargo, ND.
On September 17, 1960, Paul was united in marriage with Doreen Junkin at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fargo. Doreen was a graduate of St. Luke’s School of Nursing and worked at the Fargo Clinic while Paul completed his medical residency.
In 1961, Paul began his medical practice in Wheaton, MN. In 1962, he entered into a partnership with Allen Magnuson, MD. While in Wheaton, Paul served as Traverse County Coroner and Health Officer. He was a member of the Wheaton Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Paul served as president of Hope Lutheran Church council and in 1966, he became president of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church council. This was a merger of Hope Lutheran Church of the ALC Synod and Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church of the LCA Synod. This was the first merger of churches of the two synods in Minnesota. A few years later, in Valley City, ND, he was involved in the merger of First Lutheran Church ALC and Nebo Lutheran Church LCA, forming Faith Lutheran Church. He served as vice-chairman of the first Faith church council.
Paul joined the Valley City Clinic on January 2, 1968. He served as chairman of the Valley City Clinic medical staff, held several offices of the Mercy Hospital medical staff, various offices in the Sheyenne Valley Medical Association and the North Dakota Medical Association. He retired from the Valley City Clinic in 1997.
Paul was active in the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs. He became a Life Scout in Kindred. While in Wheaton, he served as camp physician for two summers at Camp Wilderness Scout Camp located near Park Rapids, MN. In Valley City, he was involved in the Cub Scout program and later the Boy Scouts program. In 1979, Paul received the Silver Beaver award from the Northern Lights Council.
Paul enjoyed history. After his retirement, he did volunteer work at the Barnes County Museum. In 2007-08, he served on the committee that produced the Valley City 125th Anniversary Book. He also enjoyed genealogy and family history research.
Paul passed away at his home on December 1, 2023, while being cared for by his family under the supervision of Hospice of the Red River Valley. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son Ralph, his brother, Richard Vangerud, and his sister, Dorothy Vangerud Casey.
Dr. Vangerud is survived by his wife, Doreen; three sons, Karl (Bonnie), Eric (Deb), and Bruce (Karen); three daughters, Sarah (Peter) Von Hagen, Heather Vangerud (Jon Greenberg), and Mary (Robert) Vangerud Leraas; grandchildren, Matthew (Megan) Vangerud, Haley (Brandon) Fisher, Claire (Conrad) Kranz, Matthew McEwen, Ashley Vangerud, Tara (Thomas) Tabatt, Austin Von Hagen, Grace Von Hagen, Anna Bushy, and Emily Bushy; and great grandchildren, Clark Vangerud, Vera and Mila Fisher, Charlotte, Lorraine and Clayton Kranz, and Emma Tabatt. His happiest times were spent with his family.
A special thank you to Paul’s daughter, Sarah and Hospice of the Red River Valley for their wonderful care.
The funeral service for Dr. Paul Vangerud will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, December 7, 2023 at Faith Lutheran Church, Valley City. Visitation will be the hour prior to the service. He will be laid to rest in Wildwood Cemetery in Wheaton, MN. The Lerud Mathias Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. The service will be live streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with his obituary on his tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com. An online guestbook is available there as well.