Paul Granger, 81, died Aug. 19, 2025, in Hillsboro. He was born in Kewanee, Ill., to Edith Marshall and Raymond Granger.
Paul graduated from Viroqua High School in 1965 and attended the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, where he received a Bachelor of Science in sociology in 1971. He also received a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin–Stout.
Paul worked as a counselor for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of the State of Wisconsin for more than 30 years and was well respected for his work. His colleagues described him as a kind and caring counselor who served the State of Wisconsin in a quiet and competent manner.
Paul found a deep sense of purpose in caring for those who needed him. Over the years, he acquired various rescue dogs, and he lovingly provided home-cooked meals to them twice daily. In the last years of his life, he was the primary caretaker for his mother, Edith Marshall, as she aged to 105 years and could do little on her own. Until the end, he helped his mom take care of her menagerie of farm animals. After his mom’s passing, her dogs became his. And, importantly, almost 40 years ago, in a plot twist his younger self never would have expected, Paul started a brief romantic relationship that ended with him falling in love with us, four children at the time, whom he took shared custody of for the rest of our childhoods. His love for us superseded traditional notions of family. We are so enormously lucky to have felt that love unconditionally.
Paul was a scholar. He converted a historic one-room schoolhouse into his retirement home, and every inch was covered with evidence of his myriad of interests, each of which he was well-read in. Bookshelves were stuffed with books in every genre, but particularly nonfiction. NASA photos of far-away galaxies surrounded the living space. Historical relics from modern history, early human history, and even some that pre-date human history were carefully displayed. And nature was interwoven into his décor. Paper wasp nests hung from above, and cattails he harvested were strategically positioned as accents. Through his love Paul instilled in us, his children, a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world, which we will carry with us to the end. We will never again look up at the stars without thinking about him. We will never again hear frogs chirping or happen upon a snake or turtle without feeling his presence.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Edith Marshall, and his brothers, Thomas Granger and Wayne Thompson.
He is survived by his sisters, Beverly Jean (Jack) Kramer and Linda Larson; his mom’s life partner, Wesley Novy; his kids, Mena and Jeff Hale, Rakhi Nikhanj and Jared Harbort, Soma Nikhanj and Eli Wollenzien, and Amar and Kristen Nikhanj; and his five grandchildren, Olivia, Benjamin, Grayson, Reena, and Zara.
There will be a private service, but friends and family are invited to join us in celebrating Paul’s life on Sept. 27 from 12–3 p.m. at RiversEnd in Ontario, Wis.
