Paul L. Kiger, 85, of Rushford, Minn., passed away on May 23, 2019, at his home, surrounded by family.
Paul was born on November 12, 1933, to Ethmer and Blanche Kiger in Boswell, Ind. He had three siblings: Louise Kunkle, Linda McGhee, and Duane Kiger. He was united in marriage to Loreta Fletcher on July 22, 1952. During their 66 years of marriage they raised four children: Dixie Kiger, Lexie Boehmke (Don Laumb), Rickie Kiger, and Mickie Kiger. Paul had 14 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Paul joined the U.S. Army in 1952, where he served his country proudly, seeing combat in Vietnam, and retired in 1972. He worked his remaining years for Norsland Lefse.
He loved athletics and it started in high school, where he was an All-Star football player and a Golden Glove boxing champion. He then took up golf and bowling and was inducted into the bowling Hall of Fame. At the age of 76, he bowled the perfect 300 game and has numerous other awards. He was a long time member of Ferndale Golf Course, the USBC, the NRA and the VFW. He was a lifetime member of the DVA and the American Legion.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, brother Duane, sister Linda, his in-laws Leba and Louise Fletcher, brothers-in-law Leon and Lamar Fletcher, son Rickie and two grandchildren, Richard and Catrina.
There will be a celebration of Paul’s life on June 2, 2019, at the American Legion in Rushford, Minn., from 4-7 p.m., with lunch provided. A military funeral will be held on Monday, June 3, 2019, at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery – Preston, Minn., at 2 p.m.