Pastor Paul Luther Wietzke, 98, of Camano Island passed September 17, 2024, into the promise of eternal life in Christ. Born March 16, 1926, to Walter and Louise (Wittstock) Wietzke in Chicago, Illinois, Paul grew up in the parsonage of Grace Lutheran Church, where his father was pastor. Following graduation from Lindblom High School, he continued his education at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. Upon graduation in 1949, Paul entered Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, also in Columbus. His seminary internship assignment was to Hamilton, Montana, where he had the task of establishing a new Lutheran congregation. His time there resulted in a desire to live in the West.

Following his seminary graduation, Paul was ordained at Grace Lutheran Church in Chicago on June 8, 1952. On August 16 of that year, he married Elsie Jany. Paul, with Elsie as his faithful partner, served as pastor to Lutheran churches in Elroy, Wisconsin, Southfield, Michigan, Dallas, Oregon, and Lewiston, Idaho. In 1975 he accepted a call to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Stanwood, Washington, where he served until his retirement from full-time ministry in 1988. After retirement, he served as interim pastor in Startup and Bow Edison, Washington.

Paul was an avid fisherman with a special interest in fly fishing. He also enjoyed hunting, travel in the United States and abroad, photography, reading, and teaching confirmation classes and singing in choirs with all the congregations he served. He was a life-long fan of the Chicago Bulls, Bears, and the White Sox.

His family and friends were always at the top of his priority list. He enjoyed holiday family gatherings and reunions with family and college friends. It was a source of great joy for him to have baptized his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He also confirmed his four children and officiated at their marriages.

Above all, Paul was a man of strong convictions, loyalty, and unwavering faith in God. As a husband, father, pastor, and friend, he modeled the love of Christ in his care for and devotion to others.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Elsie; their children Rebecca Wietzke (Mike), Susan Tupper (Nick), Paul T. Wietzke, and Eric Wietzke (Deanna); grandchildren Erin Walker, Paul Tupper (Kathrin), Scott Tupper (Michelle), Zach Tupper, Morgan Bucklin (Matt), and Eric N. Wietzke; great-grandchildren Cali Glaspy, Blair and Brooks Bucklin, and Millie Tupper. Paul is also survived by

numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Lois Fieroh, Walter Wietzke, and Ruth Lang.

Thank you to Pastors Mark Bankson and Jack Richards of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church for their faithful and uplifting visits and to the staff of Josephine Caring Community for their compassionate, loving, and attentive care.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Stanwood, WA , at 11:00am on Saturday, October 5th, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, trees or other gifts, memorial donations may be:

· mailed to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, in memory of Pastor Paul Wietzke, PO Box 370, Stanwood, WA 98282.

· or from his online obituary on the Legacy.com website, simply click on the "Memorial Donations" button and search for Our Saviour's Lutheran Church (in Stanwood, WA) and follow the prompts. Be sure to designate that it is in memory of Pastor Paul.

· or given online at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church https://www.oursaviourschurch.org