Paul Thomas Janssen was born August 1,1951. He was adopted by Robert and Monicka Janssen. Paul had one brother who was also adopted named Tommy. A horrible train accident struck the family, Paul and his father lived and his mother and brother were killed. His father remarried Julianna a time later. Paul went to St John's High School in Collegeville, MN.
Paul met Linda and they had Rebecca in 1973. Around that same time, he was one of founding father of the Twin Cities Co-op movement and worked at the newly established Dance Warehouse which was then purchased by Blooming Prarie Foods in the early 1990's. He had many roles from truck driver to store manager. A few of the different co-op's he worked at were Mississippi Market, Lakewinds Natural Foods. He was in LaCrosse, WI from 2003-2014 at The People's Co-op. He married Karyn Seymour in 1983, they were married for 12 years and stayed friends until the end. She helped raise Rebecca and she was truly the love of his life.
He made his way back to Minneapolis for the past 7 years and was able to enjoy a few years of decent health and retirement. In 2021 his health took a turn and he ended up needing to live in assisted living. Sadly he contracted Covid in January of 2022. He was able to beat the Covid and Pnemonia. He went back to the Transitional Care Unit and his lungs had been too badly damaged. He died on Thursday February 24, 2022 at North Memorial Hospital.
Paul made many friends that truly turned into family over the years in the business. He helped open co-op's and shared his wealth of knowledge with people for many years. Some of the things his friends have said about him that just make me so proud of who he is.
"Paul was so solid for so many of us for so many years."
"A heart of gold and legendary story teller"
"Larger than life character that gave so much to the local food movement."
He was so proud to be a father and grandfather, we all knew how much he loved us. His laugh could be heard across the room. He was so loved. I will miss so many things. most of all when he would call me and sing the Birthday Song. The last summer we were able to go up North to the lake house we had gone previously. Took a lot of effort and oxygen tanks but we got him out fishing.
Published on March 13, 2022
