Paul passed away on Friday, Dec, 18, 2015, at the Madison Hospital with his adoring family at his side. He was 79 years old.

Orrin Paul Trelstad was born March 19, 1936, at Rindahl, Minnesota, the sixth of nine children to Rev. and Mrs. PM Trelstad. He was baptized on May 10, 1936, and confirmed July 3, 1951, at Faaberg Lutheran Church in Rindahl, Minnesota, where his father was pastor. He attended Country School District 60 in Norman County Rindahl, Minnesota, for eight years. This growing family moved to the Trelstad homestead in Lac qui Parle County in 1952 where Paul attended Appleton High School and graduated in 1954. He married Eileen Spray of Milan on Jan. 1, 1961, at Big Bend Lutheran Church. To this union, three children were born: Randy, Karmin and Karla.

As a young father of two, Paul attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota Morris in 1966 with a degree in music. He taught vocal music in Granite Falls, Madison, Marietta and Stewart Schools. He returned to college and studied for his Masters Degree in Education Administration (EDAD) from South Dakota State University Brookings, South Dakota, in 1983, and then his Specialist Degree in EDAD from Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota. He was the superintendent of Lyle Public Schools at Lyle, Minnesota. In all, Paul taught music for 17 years and worked 15 years in school administration. Paul and Eileen retired and moved back to the home area of Madison in 2000.

Music was Paul’s life-long passion. He began directing male chorus at age 19. In 1969, he along with a handful of fellow music lovers formed the Chord-Ayres male chorus, which is still going strong today. And he played an instrumental role in the Chord-Ayres induction into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2012. For Paul, the Chord-Ayres were his second family.

He was a 21-year veteran of the Minnesota National Guard, for which he is being honored.

A man of many talents, Paul especially enjoyed working in his wood shop and arranging music. More than anything, Paul loved his family, friends and faith.

Paul is survived by his wife Eileen Trelstad of Madison; son Randy (Sonya) Trelstad of Rochester, Minnesota; daughters: Karmin (Robert) Goerger of Madison, Minnesota, Karla Trelstad of Albert Lea, Minnesota; sister Priscilla Wasberg of New London, Minnesota; brothers: Allen (Marge) Trelstad of Emmetsberg, Iowa, Melvin (Loretta) Trelstad of Cokato, Minnesota, David (Judy) Trelstad of Buffalo, Minnesota; sister-in-law Avonne Trelstad of Moorhead, Minnesota; seven grandchildren: Brittany, Heather and Caitlin Hinz, Grant and Kendra Goerger, Travis Simmering and Jessica Urban; seven great-grandchildren: Hunter, Caliber, Brynna, Zoe, Adelynn, Isaac and Micah; and by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Paul Trelstad, 79, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015, in Faith Lutheran Church at Madison, Minnesota. Rev. Kirk Meseck will officiate at the service. Special music will be organist Linda Anderson and very special music by the Men’s Chorus the Chord Ayers. Military Honors will be the Marietta American Legion Post 156 and Madison Legion Post 158. Honorary casket bearers will be Chord Ayre Family and Paul’s Morning Coffee group. Active casket bearers will be Bruce Trelstad, John Trelstad, Tim Trelstad, Steve Nustad, Andy Trelstad, Greg Wasberg and Eric Shelstad. Interment will be in Faith Lutheran Cemetery.

Blessed be his memory.