Paul Kuellenberg January 3, 1932 to December 10, 2016

Longtime San Luis Valley resident Paul Kuellenberg passed away Saturday, December 10, 2016 at the Conejos County Hospital in La Jara. Paul was born in Hamborn, Germany January 3, 1932, the proud son of Richard Willi Kuellenberg and Erna Wilhelmine Malessa. Paul graduated from school at the age of 14 and then learned his trade as an auto mechanic. He married his beautiful wife of 61 years, Christel Munch, on November 19, 1955, in Hamborn, Germany and together they immigrated to Canada in August of 1956.

In Canada, Paul worked as an airplane mechanic at Standard Aero Engine and later opened his own auto shop business working as a mechanic until immigrating to the United States in 1965. Paul continued to work as a mechanic from 1965 to 1976, while living in Colorado Springs and Fountain.

In 1976, Paul moved the family to San Luis Valley in hopes of opening a Tilapia farm in Hooper, but unforeseen circumstances did not make that possible. Paul loved living in the Valley so much he bought a house in Monte Vista. Once again because of Paul’s many talents and to Christel’s delight, they quickly turned the house into a beautiful home. Paul being the resourceful person he was so admired for, quickly reverted to his trade and soon found himself working for longtime friend Ken Hodgell at Hodgell Farms. Because of Paul’s ever expanding skill set, he frequently found himself working on almost anything else that needed to be fixed; such as tractors, sprinklers or any other piece of farm equipment that needed maintenance or fixing. There was nothing Paul could not handle.

In 1985, Paul again opened his own auto shop famously known by many in the Valley as “County Line Auto”. People would travel the extra miles to the county line because Paul always cared very much for the people who sought his services. Paul genuinely cared for his customers and quite often went out of his way for them. It is very sad to say that this will be one of the many traits Paul had that will surely be missed.

Paul is survived by his wife Christel, his sister Ruth Gaertner of Kelowna, Canada and brother Willi Kuellenberg of Melbourne, Florida, his daughters Carol Kuellenberg of Clermont, Florida and Margaret (George) Barone of San Marcos, California and his grandchildren Christopher Kuellenberg of Kissimmee, Florida and Tania Allen of San Diego, California, and his great granddaughter, Chloe Kuellenberg of St. Cloud, Florida.

Paul was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. His greatest joy was his family. He is dearly loved by those he leaves behind, and he will always be remembered for his kindness, compassion, and his selfless giving to others.

Cremation was selected and private family services will be held at a later time.

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