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Pastor understood healing power of the great outdoors

The Rev. Paul Monson kept right on serving people long after his formal retirement, ministering in hospitals and help centers -- and even from the seat of a canoe.

November 1, 2008 at 1:19AM

Rev. Paul Monson (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Rev. Paul Monson of Edina, retired pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Minneapolis, was motivated to help people, whether at his church or in the great outdoors.

Monson, 71, a strong believer in the restorative value of camping and canoeing, died of complications from kidney failure and cancer on Oct. 28 in St. Louis Park.

The Rev. Craig Johnson, bishop of the Minneapolis Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, said "he had a heart" for the vulnerable among us.

"He was a wonderfully gentle man without guile," said Johnson. "I think that his work, life and legacy will live for many generations in our church, because he helped youth."

In 1959, the son of a Lutheran minister graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, and in 1963, the year he was ordained, Monson graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul.

After serving parishes in Wisconsin and in Faribault, Minn., he became pastor of Good Shepherd in 1988.

When someone needed pastoral care, Monson jumped to help, even when they didn't belong to his parish, said David Anderson of Edina.

"He was the compassionate pastor who any person would want," said Anderson, a parishioner and friend. "When he preached, you knew he was speaking from his heart."

Monson served on at least eight boards and Lutheran church committees, such as at the Plymouth Christian Youth Center in Minneapolis, where in retirement he worked with families and youths.

He led youths and adults on canoe trips, ascribing to the importance of the wilderness. He was a board member of conservationist Sigurd Olson's Listening Point Foundation.

"The loss of silence in our lives is a great tragedy of our civilization," Monson said in the June 28, 2003, Star Tribune, when he retired from Good Shepherd.

"Canoeing is one of the finest ministries that can happen," he said. "You have to cooperate."

Monson was the community representative for the Ethics Committee of Park Nicollet Health System and Methodist Hospital, consulting with doctors and families about care and end-of-life decisions.

"Paul was an activist and advocate in protecting patient rights," said the Rev. Tim Thorstenson of the hospital staff.

While a patient, Monson recently told friends he was simply working at his volunteer post.

"He taught us how to be realistic, courageous and accepting," said Thorstenson.

He is survived by his son, Todd of Jamestown, N.D.; daughter, Lisa Ruehlow of Amery, Wis.; former wife, Deanna of Mound, Minn.; sister, Ruth of Phoenix, Ariz.; brother, Donald of Moorhead, and four grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. today at Central Lutheran Church, 333 S. 12th St., Minneapolis.

Visitation begins at 10 a.m. at the church.