Paul Crews

Paul Douglas Crews was born September 30, 1953, in Cleveland, Ohio. As a young child, his family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. At 10 years of age, he become an active member of the AME Church. At the age of 14, Paul met Ron Campbell, who has remained his best friend to this day. In 1968, Paul became a member of Sabathani Baptist Church. During his high school years, Paul played basketball. He graduated from Central High School in 1971. Paul was also a summer camp counselor at Camp Ihduhapi. He enjoyed being a mentor. In 1972, he attended St. Cloud University on a basketball scholarship, majoring in Psychology. He joined the Air Force National Guard and did basic training at Lackland Military Training Center in Lackland, Texas. In 1973, Paul was active in The Holy Spirit Navigators. Paul transferred to Southwest Minnesota State College in Marshall, Minnesota. In 1975, he joined the Army National Guard. He transitioned to the US Army. Paul did his training at the Presidio in San Francisco, California. He was a corpsman in the Army and received certification in perfusion. Paul ran the open heart pump during surgery. Paul’s daughter Shanna was born in 1979. He worked as a perfusionist at Des Moines General Hospital for 22 years. He loved his work, co-workers and friends. He was always happy! The OHS team grew up together through work, marriages and children. His heart was at DMGH. In 1988, Paul married Loni L. Nehring of Indianola. In 2002, He semi-retired to his farm and Shire horses. Always thinking, he could not sit still. He took jobs as an OR tech, security and Hope Ministries. He was a 4th degree black belt in Taekwondo. He enjoyed fly fishing and woodworking. Paul was a member of Masonic Legacy Lodge #678 AF and AM. He was working toward becoming a lay minister and wanted to work with the homeless. Paul’s (“Poppy”) greatest joy in his life are his four grandchildren; Slater, Breelie, Rocco and Lilyann. Paul was preceded in death by his father, Paul Crews, his mother, Iola Cutice (Trice) Crews, and his brother, Roger Crews. He is survived by his wife, Loni L. Crews of Winterset, daughter, Shanna D. Mauro of Martensdale, sister, Yvonne Johnson ( Ambrose) of Minneapolis, MN, sister, De Lawrence (Winde) of Minneapolis, MN, and numerous cousins, family members, and friends. Paul was the most compassionate and caring man. He had the most beautiful smile and presence of soul. Faith, Family, Friends - those three words sum up Paul’s life. Paul passed away on August 6 at 3:47 pm. He has met his maker and his childhood questions, “Why am I here?” “What would you have me do, Lord?’ are answered. Paul will be buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, Paul’s family ask that you donate to your local church, in his honor.