Paul G. North Obituary
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Paul G. North, 74, of Janesville, formerly of Burlington, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 11, 2026, surrounded by the family he loved and steadfastly cared for his entire life.
Born in Burlington, Wisconsin, on February 13, 1952, Paul was the only son of George and Verna (Patey) North. He grew up in Burlington, graduated from Burlington High School, and attended UW–Platteville, where he also played football and built friendships that lasted a lifetime. On June 12, 1976, he married the love of his life, Mary Jo Karrigan, in Gays Mills, Wisconsin. Together, they made Burlington their home for 40 years, where they raised their family until Paul’s retirement. Paul actively enjoyed his role as Bumpa, moving to Janesville in 2016, where he spent countless hours with his beloved grandchildren.
Paul dedicated his life to agriculture, working in a variety of agronomy-related positions, ultimately retiring from Landmark Cooperative. Agriculture wasn’t just a job for him — it was a tradition, a passion, and a way of life. He had a deep respect for the land and an uncanny ability to fix just about anything, often with nothing more than a few tools, a creative idea, and that signature North ingenuity. If something was broken, Paul didn’t just repair it — he improved it.
A hardworking man with a quick wit and a generous heart, Paul was always the first to lend a hand and the last to ask for anything in return. He taught his family countless life lessons — many delivered while building something, repairing something, or standing outside appreciating the quiet beauty of the outdoors. His strength and perseverance were constant, steady as the fields he walked and the woods he loved to roam.
Paul enjoyed woodworking, deer and elk hunting, fishing, and playing cards. He was an avid Wisconsin sports fan, cheering faithfully (and sometimes loudly) for the Packers, Brewers, and Badgers. Above all, he cherished time with his family, especially his two grandsons, who brought him endless pride and joy.
Paul is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; his children, Kelly (Travis Graham) North of Janesville, WI and Cassidy (Craig) Berry of Bridgeton, MO; his grandsons, Jameson and Finley Graham; his sister, Louise (Bob) Buchholz; brother in law, John (Linda) Karrigan; sister in law, Maureen (Mary Sue Roberts) Ryan; and his nieces and nephews, Kelsy Karrigan, Michael Ryan, Meghan Dunn, Colleen Kunsman, Brian Buchholz, and Riley Karrigan. He was preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws, J. Leo and Abbie Karrigan.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Racine County Agricultural Society.
Services for Paul will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Schuette Daniels Funeral Home. Relatives and friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Saturday from 12 noon until the time of the service.
Schuette Daniels Funeral Home & Crematory 625 S. Browns Lake Drive Burlington, WI 53105 (262) 763 3434 www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com
