Paul Leo Eberle

Paul Leo Eberle, age 95, of Boulder, Colorado passed away peacefully on November 26, 2023, with his family by his side in Ft. Collins, Colorado. He was born June 5, 1928, in Mitchell, South Dakota to Christian and Alvina (Schwarz) Eberle and baptized as Palmer Leo Eberle. Christian (in 1909) and Alvina (in 1892) both immigrated with their families as Germans from Russia to South Dakota. When Paul was five years old, his mother Alvina died after giving birth to Paul’s sister, Mildred Alvina in 1933. Mildred was adopted and raised by a relative. Paul was often a lonely child and always regretted not being able to share his childhood years with his sister. Paul’s father remarried in 1934 to Eva Hager. After losing their farm during the Great Depression, the family moved to Powell, Wyoming in 1943 to be closer to relatives. Later the family moved to Burley, Idaho and finally to Middleton, Idaho. Paul left home at age fifteen to explore the country, hitchhiking and riding the rail cars. He worked in Sun Valley, Idaho as a bellhop at the Sun Valley Hotel at night and attended school during the day. Paul spent many hours perfecting his figure skating skills during the winter there. Sun Valley was a destination for the rich and famous during the 30’s and 40’s. He met many people in the theater business and enjoyed watching the movies they starred in. Paul returned to his family home to finish high school and graduated in 1949. He felt going back to school was difficult, but he learned to finish what he started and that he could accomplish anything he put his mind to. It gave him self-confidence. Paul joined the Navy and served for one year before being honorably discharged. He traveled again, spending time in Nebraska before moving to Dallas, Texas. He met a friend, Ralph while living in a boarding house. While at a dance, Ralph met and asked Shirley for a dance one evening. He introduced her to his tall friend Paul. Paul and Shirley Ann Gordon married April 29, 1952 in Dallas. Paul and Ralph started a contracting business laying brick. Disliking the hot summers in Texas, they moved their business to Denver, Colorado. They remained lifelong friends as their lives changed and families grew. Paul was fiercely independent and happiest when he was self-employed. His love for building with stone and brick led him to remodel several old homes, one in Louisville, Colorado and several in Boulder. He recycled building materials from buildings slated for demolition in Boulder and sold the used brick. Always an entrepreneur, he employed his children and the neighborhood children in cleaning and stacking brick for resale. Paul purchased land and built four homes in the Boulder area over the years as he raised his three children and took care of his wife. Shirley passed away on September 19, 1971. Paul learned to play the guitar and harmonica. He enjoyed playing and singing for his family and friends. He wrote a song titled Colorado for the state he loved the most. He inspired and encouraged others to find their joy in playing and singing. Dancing was a lifelong passion. He especially enjoyed Western Swing and Polka dances. He loved trees and spent many hours planting seedlings and watering them. Paul traveled to Germany, Russia and Ukraine to visit relatives and see where his family originally came from. Always a life-long learner, he taught himself Spanish and traveled to Mexico several times. He loved books and couldn’t resist adding more to his collection. Paul is predeceased by his parents, Christian and Alvina (Schwarz) Eberle, his sister Mildred and his wife, Shirley (Gordon) Eberle. He is survived by his three children, Mary Ann Connelly, David Eberle and Rosalie Crowe, five grandchildren, Anna (Connelly) (Riley) Lowe, Emily (Connelly) (Garrett) Hosanna, Ivy (Connelly) Belcher, David (Andrea) and Sarah Crowe and five great grandchildren. A private graveside service was held in Boulder, where he is laid to rest with his wife, Shirley.

Paul Leo Eberle

June 5, 1928 - November 26, 2023