Dr. Allan B. Solum

Dr. Allan Bernhard Solum, 82, of Paynesville, MN passed to his heavenly home on January 10, 2026 at the St. Cloud Hospital.  He was born on April 25, 1943, in Hawley, Minnesota, to Gerhard and Lottie (Restad) Solum. He was raised on the family farm in Rollag and attended country school before moving with his parents to Moorhead at age 15. Allan graduated from Moorhead High School in 1961 and went on to attend Concordia College in Moorhead, where he earned a degree in biology in 1965. He began his medical education at the University of North Dakota, later transferring to the University of Minnesota, where he received his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1970. Allan completed his internship at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota, before entering military service as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy. He received advanced training at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute and served as a Flight Surgeon at the Naval Air Station in Albany, Georgia, and at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He was honorably discharged from military service in 1975.

Allan returned to Minnesota and entered private medical practice in Little Falls, where he served the community from 1975 to 1985. During much of that time, he also held the role of Medical Examiner for Morrison County. In 1985, he relocated to Paynesville, where he spent the remainder of his career practicing as a hospital and family physician. A highly respected family practitioner, Allan was a longtime senior partner at the Paynesville Medical Clinic. He was a steadfast advocate for his patients and took great pride in mentoring medical students at various stages of their training. After retiring from full-time practice in 2008, Allan and Pat spent six months in New Zealand, where he continued his calling as a family physician at a Māori clinic in Gisborne on the North Island.

Allan had three children—Christi, Jennifer, and Matthew—from his first marriage, and he welcomed two stepchildren, Aaron and Gretchen, when he married Patricia Ziemer on July 30, 1994. Allan and Pat shared over 30 happy years together at their home on Lake Koronis. He had a deep love for the outdoors and found joy in boating, camping, playing tennis and pickleball, biking, canoeing, and cross-country skiing—often ending a perfect summer evening gathered around a bonfire. Traveling was another passion of Allan’s, whether it was to see family or explore a new area.  Wood-working and reading were other favorite pastimes.

Allan was deeply devoted to serving his church and community. A committed member of Paynesville Lutheran Church, he generously volunteered with numerous programs, including Camp House, Green Thumb, and the Befriender Team. He also faithfully served as an usher, fellowship host, and congregational president. Beyond the church, Allan was actively involved in the community as a member and former president of the Paynesville Lions Club and as a board member of the Green Roof Area Center.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia of Paynesville, MN; daughters, Christi (John) Wenner of St. Michael, MN and Jennifer (Rory) Erchul of Pocatello, ID; son, Matthew (Nicole) Solum of South Bend, IN; stepson, Aaron (Cheri) Ziemer of Marshall, MN; stepdaughter, Gretchen Ziemer (David Scholnick) of San Luis Obispo, CA; and special son, Alexandre (Silvana) Inneco of Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Tori (Ben) Wenker and Madalyn Wenner (Dylan Huot); Dakota, Piper (Jake Thompson), and Peyton Erchul; Ashlyn (Jerry Hines), Kiley, and Madison Solum; Layne and Madigan Ziemer; Zander Scholnick; special grandson, Daniel Inneco; and five great-grandchildren, Joseph and Virginia Wenker, Jerry and Nekhi Hines, and Zakia Solum.

Additional survivors include his sisters-in-law, Priscilla (Gerald) Bormann, Phyllis Spahn, Peggy (Bruce) Bayer, and Diane Rupp; brothers-in-law, Darrel (Diane) Rupp, Douglas (Char) Rupp, and Daniel Rupp; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Ann; brother, Robert Solum and wife Donna; sister, Gwen Selseth and husband Pete; step-sister, Helen Erickson and husband Merle; sister-in-law, Linda Rupp; brothers-in-law Dennis Rupp and Robert Spahn; and great-grandson, Zakota Solum.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on his birthday, April 25, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Paynesville Lutheran Church. Visitation will be Friday, April 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a memorial to the Paynesville Area Community Foundation, Green Roof Area Center, Paynesville Lutheran Church, Koronis Lake Association or a charity of your choice.  

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