Janell Paul

Janell Kay Paul, age 73, of Little Falls and formally of Milaca, passed away Saturday, August 31, 2024, at St. Cloud Hospital. 

A funeral service for Janell will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 12PM at Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca with a visitation 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca.

Janell was born on June 9, 1951, in Mt. Lake, MN to Eilert and Hazel Strenge. Her family moved to Onamia after her cancer diagnosis in 1963. Because of losing her leg to cancer, Janell faced many challenges with one leg. If she was told that she couldn’t do something, she did it anyways. Janell graduated from Onamia Public School and went on to community college in Duluth. After she moved back home, she worked at the hospital for a while. While working there, she met Larry. Larry and Janell wed on June 1, 1974. After getting married, they resided on the family farm in Milaca. Larry and Janell had three kids, John, Brian, and Katie. Her pride and joy were in raising her kids. Through many trials and tribulations, including the loss of a child, she always kept a positive outlook on life. 

In life she enjoyed shopping, finding the best deal, and being surrounded by family and husband. She loved talking on the telephone to anyone and spending time with her kids and grandkids. 

Janell is survived by her husband, Larry Paul; children, Brian Paul, Katie (Evan) Phillips; grandchildren, Ava Phillips, Johnathan Phillips; siblings, Vernell Strenge, Bob (Jeanie) Strenge, Alan (Julie) Strenge, Dale Strenge (Betty Elliot), Linda Strenge, Susan Kilmer and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. 

She was preceded death by her son, John Paul; parents, Eilert and Hazel Strenge; brothers, Dennis Strenge, Jerry Strenge; and nephews, B.B. Strenge and Randall Strenge.