Rev. Paul Henry Wilde, son of William H. and Edna (Wegner) Wilde, was born in Manitowoc, WI, on April 10, 1928. He was baptized and confirmed at First German Ev. Lutheran Church in Manitowoc. He graduated from Northwestern Prep in Watertown in 1945 and from Northwestern College in 1949. After graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Thiensville, WI, in 1952 he was called to Trinity Lutheran Church in Tiffin, OH. Later he served Bethany congregation in Saginaw, MI, St. John in Hancock, MN, St. Paul in Lake Mills, WI, and as Dean of Students at Northwestern Lutheran Academy in Mobridge, SD. He retired in 1994 from Salem congregation in Escanaba, MI. During his ministry he also served the church at large as a writer for the Northwestern Lutheran and Meditations, as a Circuit Pastor in the Minnesota and Western Wisconsin districts, as chairman of the Minnesota District Evangelism Committee, as chairman of the Synod's Board for Information and Stewardship, and as a member of the Synod's Commission on Inter-Church Relations.

He was united in marriage with Cynthia Ann Runge on June 8, 1952, in Watertown. Their marriage of 66 years was blessed with the birth of a daughter and two sons. He was called to his eternal home on September 19, 2018, at the age of 90.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, his daughter, Mary E. Wilde, his sons Mark (Kari) Wilde, and Phillip (Elizabeth) Wilde. Seven grandchildren: Amalia, Hannah, Samuel, Paul (Meghan), Christine, Michael Elizabeth, and Lydia. He is further survived by his nephew, niece, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Grace and brother-in-law Eugene Olson. His mortal remains will be committed to the ground at Evergreen Cemetery in Manitowoc.

A Funeral Service will be held at 4 pm on Monday, September 24, 2018, at Risen Savior Lutheran Church (9550 W Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee). A visitation will be held at the church on Monday, September 24th from 3 pm until the time of service. Interment will be Tuesday, September 25th at 11 am at Evergreen Cemetery (2221 Michigan Ave, Manitowoc, WI).

Memorials are appreciated to the Wisconsin Synod Tuition Assistance or Home Missions (homemission.org).