Paul Jakobsen Kjeldbjerg, 92 of Chicago, Illinois-beloved husband, dad, grandpa, and friend-passed away on March 6.

Paul was born in Mors, Denmark on January 21, 1930. The son of Aage and Johanne Kjeldbjerg, he was the third oldest of five children. Paul was the loving husband of Margit Kjeldbjerg for 58 years until her death in 2021. He is survived by his three children, Danny Kjeldbjerg, Annette Barndt, and Alan Kjeldbjerg; his three loving son- and daughters-in-law, Wendy, Doug, and Melissa; and ten grandchildren, Hanna, Laina, Elly, Henrik, Karsten, Anya, Jakob, Grace, Beck, and Erik.

As a young man, Paul flew to the United States with his brother Kris as a farming exchange student. They traveled across the country and worked on farms in New Jersey and California. He officially emigrated in 1959 and settled in Illinois, learning the landscaping and tree nursery business from fellow Danish immigrant Otto Damgaard.

Paul met his wife, Margit (Diget) Kjeldbjerg, at the Danish American Athletic Club (DAAC) of Chicago, where he was a gymnastics instructor. They loved to folk dance to polka music, and Paul was known to absolutely fly across the dance floor. They visited Denmark often and raised a close-knit family, spiritedly celebrating every birthday and holiday with many Danish traditions.

In 1966, Paul founded Poul’s Landscaping & Nursery in the basement of their home with just one full-time employee, a pick-up truck, trailer, and a Ford tractor (that he eventually taught his grandkids to drive). He was a longtime member of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association since 1972 and continued plowing the nursery field well into his eighties. Today, Poul’s is an award-winning, three-generation family business that continues to grow.

Paul wholeheartedly embraced life and the people he loved. His family took frequent road trips (especially enjoying the Clausen Family Reunions) and went fishing and water-skiing on Lake Michigan every Sunday. He was loved by the community, and their Prospect Heights home became the gathering place for many neighborhood friends. Paul was a joyful, present Bedstefar, and was known for his bedtime stories and snacks, dancing in the kitchen, and proudly attending extracurricular events.

Paul led a vibrant life. He said, “If you stay active, you’ll never grow old”-he downhill skied until he was 84, rode a bike until he was 90, and walked two miles around the Danish Home gardens every day until the end of his life.

Paul touched many lives and is remembered as a dear friend to many and a positive, kind, and extraordinarily loving man. We will miss his easy smile, cheerful humming, and genuine appreciation for life. It was an honor to love him.

A memorial service will be held at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mount Prospect, Illinois, on Saturday, March 12. Visitation will be from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. with a service following. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Danish Home of Chicago.