My dear husband, Paul Richard Van Stedum, passed peacefully on
December 4th, 2023. I was holding his hand and a lovely woman was
playing "Let It Be" by Paul McCartney on a seven-foot harp. It was a
beautiful and spiritual passing. It was also very fitting. Paul loved music and
the Beatles were one of his most favorite bands. He played the guitar and
played well. In high school, he was a member of a band and they even
played at his Senior Prom. Paul continued to play and sing throughout his
life. He read music proficiently and could learn any song. After retirement,
he played almost every night for an hour or two. His hands, large and
calloused from work, were magical.
Paul was born in Denver, Colorado on June 25, 1951. He attended
Denver Christian Schools and graduated in 1969. After studying electronics
for two years and working in the field for a short while he realized that was not
for him. He joined the Laborers Union and there he stayed until retirement
35+ years later. The Union afforded him the opportunity to be outdoors and
this he loved.
Paul spent most of his waking hours outside. Skiing, hiking and even
plowing snow or mowing the lawn were the things he loved. But his real
passion was sailing. We purchased our first sailboat Circa 1986. This small
boat, about the size of an average canoe, could barely hold two adults and
one small child. We had to lay down in order to move the sail. We
progressed through the years to a 30-foot sailboat with all the necessities
that made it perfect for days out on the water. Many wonder-filled hours
were spent on Lake Pend Oreille with family and friends.
Paul was a true handyman. He owned skills that enabled him to build
a house from the ground up. If there was knowledge he lacked there was
always a book or magazine with the info needed. He transformed a humble
two-room dwelling into a 4 bedroom, five-level home. About five years ago
he built a cottage that his sister-in-law now calls home.
Paul was kind and caring. My Mother broke her hip while vacationing
with us. He helped to care for her as she continued to live with us until her
death two years later. My dear friend, eighty years of age, needed a happy
home and she was welcomed. She stayed until her death five years later.
Another friend in need of care was welcomed and stayed until her death.
My older sister, now ninety-one, has lived here for twelve years.
Paul lived a full life. We were blessed to be able to travel to Rome,
Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica and extensively in Mexico as well as the
US. We enjoyed life together and with family. He will be greatly missed by
his son, Levi Van Stedum, Levi's wife Carrie and grandchildren Charlotte
and Natalie. Paul was also very close to stepson, Dr. Eugene Wilson,
Sisters-in-Law Phyllis Crawford and Marlene Fredricks and siblings Roger
Van Stedum, David Van Stedum, Kathy Bayens, Sharon Bergers, and
Margie Swartz. He was preceded in death by sister Jean Natleborg. Paul
will be missed most and forever by his loving wife, Cathy Van Stedum.