Paul James Bieker

Paul James Bieker was born in Russell, Kansas in 1939. He was the sixth of ten children born to Eugene and Katherine (Tillyer) Bieker. In 1945 the family moved to Portland, Oregon courtesy of the Union Pacific Railway. They finally settled in SE Portland within the boundaries of St Peter's Catholic Church. Paul graduated from St Peter's grade school and attended Central Catholic High School. He went to work for the union Pacific Railroad at the youthful age of 15 for a term of 13 years. At age 17 he enlisted into the Army but was honorably discharged due to a medical issue. In 1959 he married Beverly Jean Ludwick from the same neighborhood and together they raised four children; Cathy, Jim, Jeffery, and Stephen, who gave them a total of twelve grandchildren.

Paul was a hard worker not only for the RR but he hung gutters with his brother Fred and remodeled sheds into tiny homes long before it became a trend.

1968, Paul stepped out of his comfort zone and studied to become an insurance agent. his agency grew into a multi-generational firm that supported not only his own family but several other family members and agencies that continue to this day.

Faith and family were the very essence of Paul's character. He loved to hunt, travel to sunny Maui, where he eventually set up a vacation site that he proclaimed the most beautiful place in the world.

When Beverly, his spouse of 37 years, died in 1997, Paul was devastated but he knew that God's plan for him was to move forward. He continued his insurance business but added more travel around the world with his good friend Ron Dykes, who always "got good deals" from cruise lines.

The year 2002 was a turning point. Upon returning from his latest cruise excursion, Paul suffered a Cerebral Hemorrhage. For two weeks he hung onto the threads of life and then the family was told that he had no more then thirty days to live.

Until he boldly stated "I'm not dying before I marry Mary" and so it was. He married Mary Ludwick and for the next 23+ years thereafter, they continued to Trust in the Lord with gratefulness for the gift of Faith, family, and the joy of living, until his last breath united him with The Face of God on January 11, 2026.