Paul M.D.

Paul H. Gislason, MD was blessed with 87 years of life well lived. Paul passed on September 10, 2012 due to complications related to Parkinson's disease. Paul is survived by his wife, Marian, and their two children Jane Osborne (Kansas City, MO) and Scott (St. Paul, MN).

Paul grew up in Grand Forks, ND and WWII's Pacific Theater (ensign 1st class on the USS LST #857). Following the war, Paul completed his under-graduate studies at the University of North Dakota. Paul earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland after marrying his high school sweetheart Marian in 1948. Paul concluded his orthopedic residency at the Mpls. VA Hospital before founding the Orthopaedic and Fracture Clinic (OFC) in Mankato, MN in 1957 - which grew to be the largest orthopedic specialty practice in the Midwest. Throughout his 40 year career, Paul loved working with the OFC's talented staff and the thousands of OFC patients that gave his life meaning. Paul split his retirement years between winters in Rio Verde, AZ and summers in Mankato, MN. Four years ago he and Marian moved to year-round residency at Waverly Gardens in North Oaks, MN.

Despite the demands of a busy medical practice, Paul energetically pursued a "work hard / play hard" lifestyle. A lifelong golf enthusiast, Paul cataloged 7 holes-in-one (aka Gisl's Missiles). Paul enjoyed many years skiing throughout the Rocky Mountains and boating on beautiful Lake Washington in southern MN. Paul and Marian also loved traveling internationally with a group of dear colleagues under the aegis of the Bone & Joint Club.

Preceded in death by his four siblings: G. John Gislason; Esther Arnold; Anna Hinderlie; and Helen Locke. Survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Marian Hewitt Gislason; son, Scott (Candace); daughter, Jane Osborne (Joseph); grandchildren, RJ, Nichole, Will and Anna; great-grandchildren, Oakley and Cannon.

Paul's family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff of Waverly Gardens, Heartland Hospice and Baywood Home Care; all of whom helped to make Paul's final years and days more meaningful and comfortable.

Services will be held Friday (Sept. 14th) at Waverly Gardens (5919 Centerville Road North Oaks, MN 55127): 10:00 visitation; 11:00 celebration; and reception to follow. Memorials preferred to the Capistrant Center for Parkinson's disease and Movement Disorders and/or Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund.