Paul D. Irvin Sr. 88, of Austin, Minnesota, died on Monday, July 24, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys campus in Rochester, Minnesota.

He was born on Oct. 11, 1928, in London Township, in Freeborn County, Minnesota, to Joseph and Catherine (Taggart) Irvin. He attended school in Rose Creek, Minnesota. On June 7, 1947, he married the love of his life, Crystal “Chris” Christianson. Paul started working at Hormel Foods in Austin during World War II and retired from Hormel 40 years later.

Paul loved his family, his friends, the Vikings, the Minnesota Twins, NASCAR, classic country music, farming, working on cars and his yardwork.

Paul is survived by his children, Lavonne McCarthy, Canton, Minnesota, Paul (Linda) Irvin Jr., St. Peter, Minnesota, Darlene Hoffman, North Mankato, Minnesota, and Debra (Craig) Lewison, Janesville, Wisconsin; brother, Edward Irvin, Whitehouse, Texas; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Chris; daughter, Sharon Kay; stepfather, Arend Hogeboom; sisters, Margaret Dunn, Mary Tschaan and Catherine Loecher; brothers David Irvin, Joseph Irvin, John Irvin, and James Taggart.

A funeral service will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Monday, July 31, 2017, at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday at Mayer Funeral Home and also one hour before the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com