Established on 02.13.2015 by Anonymous Donors †
Paul was born April 29, 1942, to Harold and Vicky (Hoyer) Bortnem in Volga, SD. He married Rosine Englund on July 10, 1966.
Paul's call to serve began in parish ministry as an intern in Wahpeton, ND followed by stops in Foremost, Provost, and Edmonton, AB Canada. He served as a Chaplain in Thief River Falls, MN and Lubbock, TX, and returned to parish ministry in Slaton and Posey, TX. He later served parishes as an interim in Tyler, Olivia, Bemidji, Glyndon, Lester Prairie, Bernadotte, Lafayette, and Swan Lake, MN and Jamestown, Hillsboro, Wahpeton, and Williston, ND.
Paul was a faithful servant pastor, mentor, and counselor. He loved people and treasured the many friendships made during his years of ministry. Paul's faith and belief in the Good News centered his life and touched everyone he met. He loved spending time with family and friends, listening to his grandchildren play violin and attending their various sporting events, woodworking in his shop, reading a good book and sharing quiet moments with Rosine.
To honor Paul’s devotion to his career in pastoral care and with a nod to his interest in science and math, the Donors have created the Pastor Paul L. Bortnem Scholarship for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to be awarded by the Office of Financial Aid to one or more students of any class or major, with preference given to students majoring or minoring within the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics.