Fr. Dr. Paul Fruth

Fr. Paul Fruth, age 88, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2025 at his home.

Father Fruth was born August 17, 1937, in Freedom, Pennsylvania to Albert Paul Fruth and Freda O. (Evans) Fruth. He graduated from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA, with a B.A. in Music and Education; Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA with a M.A. in Education. Before he entered seminary where he earned a degree in Theology from Pope John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, MA, he was a Vietnam War veteran, school principal, college professor and choir master. Fr. Fruth was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Paul F. Anderson at St. Ann's Church in Wayland, MA on February 2, 1974, for the Diocese of Duluth.

Father Paul faithfully served at the following parishes in the Diocese of Duluth: St. James Church, Duluth; St. Louis Church, Floodwood; St. Mary Church, Meadowlands; Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Cloquet; Immaculate Heart Church, Crosslake; St. Andrew Church, Brainerd; St. Mathias, Ft. Ripley; St. James Church, Aitkin; Our Lady of Fatima Church, Garrison; Holy Family Church, Hillman; Holy Family Church, McGregor; and Our Lady of Fatima Church, McGrath. He served on the Presbyteral Council and as Dean of the Brainerd Deanery.

Continuing his education, Fr. Paul earned a Ph.D. in Psychology and Clinical Studies from Andover – Newton Theological Seminary within the Harvard Consortium and a Diploma from the Centrum Pro Educatoribus Seminariorum at the Athenaeum Pontificum Regina Apostolrum in Leggiuno, Italy in Priestly Spiritual Formation.

Fr. Paul also served as the State Chaplain for the Minnesota State Council of Knights of Columbus, Faithful Friar to the Msgr. Thomas Scott Assembly of Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, MN, Assistant Spiritual Director for Cursillo, and Moderator of the Duluth Council of Catholic Women. Fr. Fruth retired in 2015.

Fr. Fruth was a life member of both Post 49 American Legion and Charter Member of Vietnam Veterans of America. He was also a past President of the Crow Wing County Historical Society.

Fr. Paul is survived by his brother Rev. Dr. Michael P. Fruth (Janice) of Raynham, MA and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Fr. Paul in death were his parents, two brothers, Francis and John Fruth, and a sister, Mary Rhodes.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Crosslake, MN. Visitation will be on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 4:30 p.m. and Visitation will also be one hour prior to Mass on Monday. Burial will be at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Freedom, PA. Arrangements are with Koop Funeral Home in Crosby, MN.