A St. Michael-Albertville High School graduate and 52-year-old Monticello man has been identified by Sherburne County authorities as the victim of a weekend drowning on Lake Mitchell.
Paul C. Pohlkamp was swimming around a friend’s anchored boat when he was discovered unresponsive in the water by friends and fellow boaters around 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14.
Pohlkamp was lifted from the water onto the nearby boat and transported to the Big Lake public water access, where paramedics and law enforcement who responded to a 911 emergency call attempted life-saving efforts on the man. Pohlkamp was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was wearing his life jacket.
The incident is under further investigation by the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office. Big Lake Police officers and CentraCare Ambulance EMT’s also assisted at the scene.
Service Information
Funeral services for Paul Celestine Pohlkamp, 52, are set for noon Wednesday, Aug. 19 at St. Michael Catholic Church, where he was a lifelong member. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Tuesday, Aug. 18 with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Interment at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery in St. Michael at a later date.
Paul enjoyed NASCAR, outdoor sports, golfing, softball and spending time with his nieces and nephews. A 1982 graduate of STMA, he worked multiple jobs around the area.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Delrose Pohlkamp; a brother, David; and a nephew, Michael.
He is survived by his siblings, Daniel (Connie) Pohlkamp, Elizabeth (Donald) Sipe, Joseph (Barbara) Pohlkamp, Suzanne (Danny) Reemts, Timothy (Tere) Pohlkamp; sister-in-law; Cindy Pohlkamp; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.