Submitted photo At age 101 three years ago, Paul Wojahn speaks at the state Capitol Rotunda at the Veterans Day on the Hill Rally.

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NEW ULM — The oldest Disabled American Veteran (DAV) Chapter Commander in Minnesota and the United States who lived a life of service and sacrifice will long be remembered for the lives he touched.

Paul W. Wojahn, 104, died Sunday at Oak Hills Living Center.

“Anything that involved helping others often included my dad. He was a quiet man of integrity, honesty and deep faith,” said Wojahn’s daughter Bonnie Morris, a retired medical transcriptionist in the Twin Cities. “It’s kind of overwhelming to think how many lives he touched. He was the best father, grandfather and big brother anybody could have.”

Morris said her father survived what World War II’s most challenging beach landing on Peleliu in the Pacific, but she told a perilous story about him working as a DNR (Department of Natural Resources) game warden in Swift County.

“My dad came upon a guy shooting out of a vehicle. He put his hand on the vehicle door handle and the driver took off, dragging him more than 15 feet down the road,” said Morris. “My dad got into his vehicle and forced the driver to stop.”

Brown County Veteran’s Service Officer Greg Peterson said Wojahn was the oldest man to do many things including, being the oldest veteran, DAV van driver, fisherman and other things.

“He was very active and he just kept on going. He was quite a celebrity after turning 100 especially. I’d help him register online for things like veterans fishing tournaments,” Peterson said.

He recalled visiting Wojahn at his home near New Ulm and seeing fishing rods and reels that he was fixing on tables.

Former New Ulm DAV Chapter 15 Commander Mike Finstad said Wojahn always looked on the bright side. Finstad said Wojahn’s mother, Minnie Finstad, and his grandpa, Pete Finstad, were brother and sister.

“We lost an icon that’s for sure. He was one of a kind. I’d ask him how he was and he’d say, I’m the best I can be with what I have. He said nobody else will ever see all the advancements he said in his lifetime. He picked corn one ear at a time and walked behind a horse before the days of big farm implements,” said Finstad. “I’m going to miss him. He was a lot of fun. I’d mow his lawn, but he’d get grumpy if I didn’t let him help. He didn’t want anything handed to him. I’m glad I talked him into being the New Ulm DAV commander again. He was eager to do it. Anytime you needed help, all you had to do was ask him. He was stronger than anybody. I think could take me in arm wrestling.”

Roy Janni, DAV Chapter 15 chaplain, said Wojahn was a “true Marine.”

“He went to Marine reunions across the country and went to Marine meetings in Mankato. I worked with him on winter clothing drives for years,” said Janni.

As a young man, Wojahn hitchhiked to California, where he worked for Douglas Aircraft before enlisting in the Marine Corps during World War II. Besides Peleliu, he saw combat in New Guinea and Okinawa, enduring blasts and machine gun fire resulting in hearing loss.

After the war, he worked as a heavy equipment operator, game warden and sheriff’s deputy for 25 years. He married Emy Lundberg in 1946. She died in 2006.

Retiring in 1983, Wojahn didn’t slow down much. He taught youth gun safety and CPR and was a DAV volunteer van driver. A Lions member, he became a Salavation Army bell ringer at 96.

On his 100th birthday, members of the Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota gathered at the Veteran’s Service Building in St. Paul to celebrate with Wojahn.

“I just enjoy the fact I’m able to get up, keep moving and stay active,” he said.

The DAV collected artifacts including pins, letters and pictures from its chapter leaders and placed them in a wooden box. Wojahn was the first member to go up. He put the original 1925 Chapter 15 DAV charter in the box.

At age 101, Wojahn attended the Veterans Day on the Hill rally at the state Capitol Rotunda. A busload of veterans from New Ulm, Springfield and St. Peter also made the trip.

Wojahn continued to help with DAV clothing drives at age 104.

He attributed his longevity to good genes.

Wojahn said not worrying is another attribute that helped him live long.