Paul A. Wurzer

Paul Wurzer, 75, of Pelican Rapids, MN, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at his home on Pelican Lake with his wife Sheila by his side.

Paul Andrew Wurzer was born on December 20, 1937 in Valley City, ND to Andrew and Mary (Sherman) Wurzer. He grew up on the family farm in Fingal, ND, and graduated from Tower City High School. He then moved to Los Angeles, CA, where he worked for General Motors.
Paul moved back to Fargo and in 1961 where he married Beverly Bossart and they raised their two sons. He then graduated from Dakota Business College. He went on to work for Gate City Savings & Loan for the next 20 years, where he became President of their wholly owned subsidiary, Financial Information Systems.

In 1978, Paul started his own company, and called it Financial Business Systems. FBS became a leader in multiple listing service software. He retired in 2004 and remained on the board of directors until his death. In his retirement, Paul wanted to go back to his roots, and bought a ranch south of Valley City with his two sons and later his nephew.

In 1983, Paul married Sheila Ottum in Vail, CO. Their marriage was later blessed at St. Mary’s of the Lake on Pelican Lake, MN.

Paul was an avid pilot and loved flying. He cherished the outdoors, and enjoyed time he spent boating, fishing, hunting, and skiing. He was a talented chef who loved his time in the kitchen. He spent a lot of time in his garden and used the fruits of his labor in the kitchen. Most of all, he loved spending time with his ten grandchildren.

Paul is survived by his wife, Sheila; sons, Steve (Carla) Wurzer, Fargo, ND; Mike (Karen) Wurzer, Fargo, ND; step-children, Jeff (Mariela) Lewis, Aspen, CO; Michael Shannon (Chastity) Lewis, Minneapolis, MN; Kelly (Mark) Rish, Minneapolis, MN; ten beautiful grandchildren; siblings, Connie Ertelt, Fingal, ND; Shirley (George) Harvey, Las Vegas, NV; Mark (Verna) Wurzer, Fargo, ND; and John Wurzer, Valley City, ND.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials are preferred to the Minnesota Autism Center or Hospice of the Red River Valley.