Paula M. (Urban) Elvecrog

Paula M. (Urban) Elvecrog (1945-2022), a longtime Eden Prairie resident, was a kind and gracious person — cheerful and friendly to everyone, quick to smile and always willing to help others. 

She could light up a room with her energy and laughter. Her positive and loving presence will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her. Paula grew up in South Minneapolis with her parents and younger sister, Sandi. 

She was a well-liked honor student and leader at Washburn High School, very involved in the community and school activities. Paula was on Power’s Teen Board, where she was editor of a fashion pamphlet, in student council, and elected homecoming queen, to name just a few. 

After graduating high school, she enrolled at the University of Minnesota, earning an elementary education degree. After college, Paula’s passion for travel led her to take a position as a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines. 

In October 1969, she married Eugene Elvecrog and moved to California, first to Oakland and then to Los Angeles. 

In the Bay Area, she worked at several companies in retail sales and in Los Angeles as a substitute teacher, spending off-hours enjoying life at the beach. After earning additional college credits, Paula was certified as a social worker and did challenging yet rewarding social work in Los Angeles County until the birth of their first child. 

Their family moved back to Minnesota in 1974. She dedicated herself to being a very engaged and supportive parent and managing a bustling household, eventually with three busy kids. 

Paula and Eugene have lived in Eden Prairie since 1976. As a young family, they made annual summer trips to Minnesota lake resorts with great friends for two decades. 

As their children became adults, the family shifted their annual trips to winter vacations in Mexico for another two decades. These trips were tradition and cherished by the entire family. 

Paula loved spending time with her close-knit family and friends. She was passionate about physical fitness and fashion, an avid reader, a news junkie, and a movie buff. She passed these qualities on to her children, as well as self-confidence, treating others with kindness and compassion, and the importance of education. 

As a mother and grandmother, she was very involved and was a regular on the sidelines and at the rink, recitals, celebrations, and school events cheering on everyone. 

She is survived by her loving family — husband of 53 years, Eugene Elvecrog, son John Elvecrog (Haley), son Mark Elvecrog (Jenny), daughter Sarah Whittington (Brent), six grandchildren (Mia, Jack, Jordan, Luke, Cole, Tess) and her sister Sandi Anderson (Mark). 

Paula passed away after a tough but determined struggle with the many debilitating effects of Lewy body disease. She never gave up, always wanting to be there for her family and not let anyone down. 

Her memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 13600 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie. Visitation will be at 10 a.m., and a celebration of life will follow the 11 a.m. service.