MADISON - Paul E. Hexum, age 60, of Madison, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones from Esophageal Cancer on Monday, July 22, 2024. He was born on July 11, 1964, in Moorhead, Minn., the son of Elroy and Rosetta (Senn) Hexum.

Paul graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1982, and Wadena Tech in 1984. Following college he moved to San Jose, Calif. to begin his career in computers. He was united in marriage to Joni Hanusch on Oct. 24, 1987, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids, Minn. and then moved to Madison in 1989.

Paul was an avid golfer and enjoyed hunting deer and duck, a passion he learned from his father, Elroy. He enjoyed many hunting seasons in Wisconsin and Minnesota with friends and family his whole life. Paul was a proud father and supported his children at their basketball and baseball games and all their life accomplishments. He cherished being a grandpa to “GusGus” and was looking forward to playing catch together when he grew up. Paul started golfing when he was 10 years old and never stopped; he was proudly still golfing 36-hole days with no cart through his 59th year.

Aside from his hobbies, the true magic of Paul was his ability to make the everyday and mundane parts of life fun. Washing the dishes together never felt like a chore. Waiting in line, (reluctantly) going to a museum, sitting in traffic, waiting for the next hand of poker to finally start- Paul would rise above his impatience and crack a joke. He made it a game to see who could thank the person who made dinner first, he licked his plate in appreciation (sometimes even in public), and cleaned the kitchen with gratitude. He described himself as “cheap,” because what more could a guy need than the love of his family and friends and a good cup of coffee.

Paul is survived by his wife, Joni; daughter, Kaitlin (Jack) Zarovy; son, Nick Hexum; grandchild, Augustus “Gus” Zarovy; two sisters, Denise (Mike) Magnusson and Carol (Dan) Grabow; sister-in-law, Julie (Brad) Homan; mother-in-law, Karen Hanusch; and his beloved cats, Ethel and Lucy. He was preceded in death by his parents; and father- in-law, Ron Hanusch.

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. Visitation will take place at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Family and friends who wish to view the service via LIVESTREAM may visit Paul’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the service.

A special thank you to all the medical staff who cared for Paul, especially his nurses, whose care he so appreciated and who listened to his jokes and stories. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Paul E Hexum

July 11, 1964 - July 22, 2024

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