Paul Duane Harner, born September 19, 1945, to Cletus M. Harner and Cora Judith Harner of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away September 28, 2026, after a valiant battle with multiple cancers.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and son, Shand Harner, and is survived by his sister, Julie Moran of Mesa, AZ, his children – sons Shawn Harner of Norwood, MN and Shane (Denise) of Rice, MN; step-children Dr. Marty (Tammy) Kelley of Sioux City, IA, Jamie P. (Tim) Walker of Minnetonka, MN and Julie (Sam) Bjellos of Maplewood, MN. “Papa” Paul was loved by his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Paul will be remembered for his love of God, zest for life, and likely being the inventor of “dad jokes”; he never stopped laughing. Paul served 28 years in the military and did maintenance work until he retired. As a kid, Paul wanted to go on a Lewis and Clark expedition, and when he retired, he moved to Green Lake in Webster, WI. He later said that living in the woods, feeding the deer, and being part of nature was his version of the expedition he craved as a child.

Paul lived, loved, and laughed. Paul said, “God has been good to me”. He will be put to rest at Ft. Snelling with full military honors on November 13th at 12:30 pm.