Kevin Jay Paaverud, 54, of Austin, Minnesota, died at his home on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015.

Kevin was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, on March 7, 1961, to Alvin and Eunice (Pladson) Paaverud. His childhood was spent in North Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota.

He was a graduate of Austin High School in 1979. After graduation he became employed by the Milwaukee Road Railroad Company. He left the railroad in 1998 and went to work at Hormel Foods. He remained there until 2008. He then became employed by AB Taxi and decided to further his education by going to school for windmill technology and graduated in 2012 with his certificate. He remained at AB Taxi until his illness was diagnosed.

In 1983 he married Melissa Reynolds. They had six children and 34 years together. He loved his family, riding his Harley motorcycle, watching movies and shows, and playing games and cards with his children.

Kevin is survived by his wife, Melissa; children: Richard, Zhera, Mariah, Tyler, Gabrielle, and Patrice; mother, Eunice; brother, Mitch; sister, Krista (Dennis) Hawley; father-in-law, Lawrence “Butch” (fiancée Jan Williams) Reynolds; sister-in-law, DeeAnn Strommer; brother-in-law, Doug (Robyn) Reynolds; nephews and nieces: Seth Haney and Jennie Stolzenberg, Erik Paaverud and Hannah Snow, Jeff Paaverud and Chiara Culp, Evan Reynolds, Whitney Reynolds, Travis and Laura Hawley, Courtney Dahl, Daniel Hawley, David Hawley; great-nephew, James Haney; and great-nieces: Kinley Dahl, and Raevah Reynolds; and assorted non-biological children, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Kevin was preceded in death by his grandparents; father Alvin; mother-in-law Patricia Reynolds; sister-in-law Aniko Madden, and brother-in-law Joe Strommer.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Jeffrey Forbes officiating. Visitation will be at the mortuary one hour before the service.