Rev. Paul W. Kobi, 44

Rev. Paul W. Kobi, 44, passed away in Rochester, Minn. on Feb. 14, 2009 due to complications of lung surgery stemming from Hodgkins Lymphoma 31 years ago. Paul had been in various hospitals since July 8, 2008.

Paul William Kobi was born in Rochester, Minn. Sept. 27, 1964. Paul attended elementary school in Libertyville, Ill. He graduated from Wayzata High School, Wayzata, Minn., Class of 1982. He attended St John’s University, graduated from Bethel University in 1986 and Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Ky., with a Masters of Divinity in 1990.

Paul married Michelle O’Hara in Binghamton, N.Y. on Dec. 31, 1988.

He served as pastor in Minnesota churches: 1990-93 at Adrian and Magnolia; 1993-97 at Verndale and central Minnesota; 1997-2000 at La Crescent and Hokah; 2000-06 at Jackson; and 2006-09 at Farmington.

He enjoyed family, golf, fishing and walking his dog Kaleb. An honor that Pastor Paul was proud of was being nominated to and serving on the White House Conference on Aging.

He is survived by his wife, Michelle; daughter, Eleaschia M. Kobi, Sartell, Minn.; brother, George W. Kobi, Brainerd, Minn.; nieces, Angela and Megan; parents, William and Nancy Kobi, Walker, Minn.; and paternal grandmother, Florence Kobi, Rochester.

Funeral services will be Friday, Feb. 20, 2009, 11 a.m., at Faith United Methodist Church, 710 8th St., Farmington. Visitation will be held Thursday, 4-8 p.m., and Friday, 10-11 a.m. Burial will be held Saturday, 11 a.m., at South Ridge Cemetery, La Crescent, Minn.

Memorials in lieu of flowers requested to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or The Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church for Congregational Development.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, Rochester, assisted the family with funeral arrangements.

Tags: obituary, paul, kobi