Donald Paul GIFFORD, Jr.

GIFFORD, DALLMANN, OLSON, RAPP, LUKK, JOHNSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:56

January 27, 1951 ---– September 13, 2018

Paul Gifford, age 67, died Sept. 13, 2018, from complications of back surgery that resulted in several strokes. From the early part of May through the middle of September he fought the good fight, receiving care at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Regency Hospital in Golden Valley, Estates of Bloomington, and finally Bethel Care Center in St. Paul.

Donald Paul Gifford, Jr. was born on Jan. 27, 1951, in Forest City, Iowa. He was in kindergarten when his family moved to Kenyon in 1956. Paul attended school in Kenyon until his junior year. He then returned to Kanawha, Iowa, to live with his grandparents and finish high school there. After graduation, he worked at the State Hospital in Faribault, taking care of people with special needs. This work led him to establish his lifelong business named "Off the Beaten Path" in 1985. The purpose of his corporation was to provide vacation opportunities to people who need to be on supervised vacations. "Off the Beaten Path" gave travel opportunities to many clients who otherwise would not be able to experience the wonderful opportunity of being on vacation. His company was responsible for providing employment and travel for many family members and friends as well. "Off the Beaten Path" continues to provide these travel opportunities into the future with Corrine "Corky" Dallmann as the administrator of the company. One of the more interesting or harrowing vacations was when Paul had a large group of clients crossing the bridge into New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. All of a sudden, traffic stopped and the group had to walk back to their hotel, leaving two 15-passenger vans on the highway. On the return home, their reservations were in Pennsylvania, close to where the third plane went down.

Paul is survived by his father Donald Gifford, Sr. and friend Lois Olson of Glendale, AZ, sisters Corrine (Dennis) Dallmann of Mesa, AZ, Bonnie (David) Rapp of Kenyon, Mary Lukk of Venice, Florida, and brother Billy (Corlis) Gifford of Zumbrota, eleven nieces and nephews, nine great nieces and nephews, and many other friends and relatives. Paul was preceded in death by his grandparents, Alvin and Mary Johnson of Kanawha, IA, and Leon and Ruth Gifford of Britt, IA, his mother Shirley Gifford of Kenyon, and his beloved dog Girl and his cat Key T.

Family members are having an open house "Celebration of Life" party to honor Paul on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, from 3-7 p.m. in Kenyon, at the Kenyon Country Club. Any friends of Paul or his family are welcome to come and enjoy some of Paul's favorite food and drinks. Memorials are preferred to an animal shelter or a charity of your choice.

Faribault Daily News -- Faribault, Minnesota
September 27, 2018