Paul S. Peper

The roar of Paul Peper’s guitar amps took to the skies May 3, 2024, following the 69-year-old’s passing in Faribault, Minnesota.

Navy veteran Lawrence Peper and his wife, Mary (Orr), welcomed Paul into the world April 21, 1955 in Faribault. Paul spent his childhood and adolescent years with three sisters in Minnesota, Arizona and Idaho. Following his graduation from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1973, Paul and his family moved back to Minnesota. After practicing with his first guitar, a Gibson SG inspired by his favorite guitarist Tony Iommi, Paul brought with him not only a diploma, but an exciting edge on the western rock n’ roll music scene. Paul made some of his fondest friends and memories as a lead guitarist and front man of his locally successful bands, including Godfrey Blaque. From stage to stage, Paul inspired many talented musicians who still play today.

Paul’s success following his move back to the Midwest was not limited to music. Soon after arriving in Minnesota, Paul met his wife of 47 years, Jan Flaaen. They were married January 29, 1977 at First English Lutheran Church in Faribault. As the couple welcomed their first child and started growing their family, Paul started working at Crown Cork & Seal Co., where he worked for 43 years. While at the company, Paul led a nationally-recognized initiative for recycling, receiving an award in Washington D.C. During that time, Paul also received a degree in accounting from the Faribault Area Vocational Technical Institute (Vo-Tech). 

In 2001, Paul responded to an ad in the newspaper looking for a contributor to Faribault Community Television. Paul initially bought a camera to record moments of his three daughters’ upbringing and Twin Cities musicians, but it grew into so much more. Over the course of two decades, Paul and his family were estimated to have put the population of Faribault on television several times over. Paul frequently talked about his work in local television, which had been called by some a community-building “ministry” that brought the community into the homes of all. The span of Paul’s work at FCTV included business promotions, all kinds of annual events, a cooking show, veteran awareness and people from all walks of life, both locally and nationally recognized.

Paul’s family will remember “Dad” as a loving husband, father and grandfather. In recent years, he spent much of his free time supporting his grandchildren in their many activities, including music recitals and sporting events. He was a loyal friend, and said “in order to have friends, you have to be one.” They will remember and miss his wonderful sense of humor, and laugh that could echo across a room. Paul inspired his family and friends with his ability and dedication to turn his visions into a reality, from playing in bands, to self-taught television creation, and other awards and accolades throughout his life. Perhaps most importantly, Paul instilled in everyone around him a critical aspect of community building: caring for others. Paul passionately cared for other people and organizations; nobody went cold, hungry, thirsty, or in any other need otherwise, around him.

Paul’s life is being celebrated by wife Jan of Faribault; three daughters Molly (and Josh) Froman of Owatonna, Mallory (and Eric) Lindgren of Chanhassen and Mellaney (and Matthew) Moore of Colorado Springs; grandchildren Genevieve, June and John Froman, Rutledge and Benjamin Lindgren; sisters Pam (and Al) Hjulberg, Lucy (and Jerry) Heckman and Mary Orr. 

Paul has been welcomed by his parents, Larry and Mary, in-laws Vern and Harriet Flaaen, granddaughter Ada Froman and brother-in-law Steve Johnson.

The family invites you to join them as they celebrate Paul’s life at Parker Kohl Funeral Home at 1725 Lyndale Ave. N., Faribault on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Visitation will start at 9:30 in the morning, with an 11:30 service officiated by Father Henry Doyle and lunch gathering. 

In lieu of flowers, the Peper family asks that we support causes of personal importance to Paul, such as the Faribault Community Cathedral Café, the Sons of the American Legion Post 43, and the Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation.