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Paul Joseph Wrider

Celebration of Life Services:
Saturday, December 15, 2018
5:30 PM
Urban Abbey
1026 Jackson Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68102

Paul Joseph Wrider (July 14, 1975 – December 10, 2018)

Paul was born July 14, 1975 in Des Moines, Iowa and attended the Wooster School boarding program in Danbury, Connecticut before graduating from Guilford High School in Guilford, Connecticut in 1993. He studied film and television production at New York University and most recently completed a continuing education program with the Interface Web School in Omaha, Nebraska.

Paul spent most of his career in the technology sector. First, working in New York City during the first dot com boom of the late ‘90s. Later, he transitioned to making video games; a career which took him around the world from Los Angeles to San Francisco, followed by Dundee, Scotland and Mumbai, India. Highlights of his career included working for LucasArts in San Francisco where he made many friends and enjoyed giving friends and family tours of the company campus, which was filled with Star Wars memorabilia.

Paul and his wife, Katrina Markel, loved to travel and relished the opportunities to live abroad provided by his career. They especially enjoyed their time working in Scotland and India and hosting visiting family and friends in those countries.

More recently, Paul and Katrina settled in their native Midwest and he started working as a web designer. Most recently he was a UX Designer at Moody’s Analytics in Omaha. Paul was also a technology instructor at Do Space in Omaha, where he especially loved working with children. He was passionate about closing the “digital divide” and making technology accessible to everyone. Paul and Katrina were active members of the congregation at Urban Abbey in downtown Omaha.

Paul was preceded in death by his grandparents and father-in-law. He is survived by his wife, Katrina Markel of Omaha, Nebraska; mother, the Rev. Anne Wrider of Chicago, Illinois; father and stepmother, Darrel Wrider and Tricia Bowen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; sister Emily Wrider (Erik Thorson) of Waterloo, Iowa; Mother-in-law, Carol Markel of Omaha, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Celine Markel of Omaha, Nebraska; as well as extended family and many friends around the world.

Memorial donations may be directed to Urban Abbey or Do Space.

Inurnment, East Liberty Cemetery, Malvern, Iowa.

38 Condolences

  • Laura Olsen Posted December 13, 2018 11:45 am

    Katrina, You have my sincere condolences, sympathy and prayers. I hope you and Paul’s family and friends take comfort in the Lord. Prayers, my friend. Laura

    • Katrina Posted December 14, 2018 12:07 am

      Thank you, Laura. That’s very sweet.

  • Camille-Bettina Atkinson Posted December 13, 2018 12:00 pm

    There aren’t any words I have that will bring calm to your storm. All I have are the times I have lost someone suddenly, and I know that it is very different for each of us. I can say with certainy a) this sucks b) no one so loved is ever lost.

    I’m available for cornbread recipes, over the phones, middle of the night, and if you’re losing your mind I can help you with that. I do it all the time.

    My heart,
    Camille-Bettina

    • Katrina Posted December 14, 2018 12:08 am

      Thank you, Camille. I appreciate it. – Katrina

  • Brooke Shigley Posted December 13, 2018 12:17 pm

    Katrina and Family,

    We are all just devastated at the loss of your loved one. No words can mend what you’re going through but please know, you are not alone. We, your friends and family, your support system — are present with you. Our deepest thoughts and prayers have your name in them, and we are only a phone call away if you need anything. Please call or text, even just to talk. We are hurting for you and we want to be there for you.

    God Bless,
    Brooke Shigley

    • Katrina Posted December 14, 2018 12:09 am

      Thank you, Brooke. Love you!

  • Amy Stickrod Posted December 13, 2018 12:54 pm

    Katrina, Dave and I were very sorry to hear about Paul. You are in our hearts and prayers.

    • Katrina Posted December 14, 2018 12:09 am

      Thank you, Amy!

  • Petra McFatridge Posted December 13, 2018 1:05 pm

    My lovely friend, you and Paul made Scotland richer when you were here, you are still missed every Sunday by the choir and I often think of your time here, you and Paul sitting on our couch talking for hours. Your loss can’t be mended by any of us – only God and the passage of time will ease the pain, but Paul will be remembered and missed in Scotland as well as in the USA. It was a privilege to know him, a pleasure to share a part of his life when you were here. I wish Ian and I could be with you now. Know that our love and friendship is with you even if we can’t hug and hold you in person. Our prayers for Paul, for you and for the whole family! Love P&I

    • Katrina Posted December 14, 2018 12:10 am

      Thank you, Petra. I miss you! – Katrina

  • The SkyVu Family Posted December 13, 2018 1:34 pm

    Katrina and Family, we are so sorry for your loss and will keep Paul in our prayers. It was an honor to have someone as experienced as Paul join and lead our team. Paul believed in the creative talents of the Midwest and had an incredible vision for what games could be and years later many of his design features are becoming industry standards. We will miss Paul and will carry his passion for entertainment through our creative works.
    God Bless,
    Ben Vu

    • Katrina Posted December 14, 2018 12:12 am

      Thank you so much, Ben. – Katrina

  • Brendan O’Malley Posted December 13, 2018 2:09 pm

    Please accept my deepest condolonces. I had the pleasure of working with Paul in NYC at The Hub. He always made me laugh and I enjoyed his fun-loving presence every day. I feel lucky to have made his acquaintance and then continuing to interact with him on social media. He will be deeply missed. Peace, Brendan O’Malley

    • Katrina Posted December 14, 2018 12:11 am

      Thank you, Brendan. He thought a lot of you. – Katrina

  • Debbi Marshall Posted December 13, 2018 2:13 pm

    Katrina, my heart aches for you. It feels like the world should stop. Everything feels empty. The one you want to share these feelings with is the reason for the feelings. All of it is upside down. Know you are loved. You will get through it. We just do somehow.
    Debbi Marshall

    • Katrina A. Markel Posted January 2, 2019 12:15 pm

      Thank you, Debbi!

  • Valerie Crowe Posted December 13, 2018 3:35 pm

    My dear Katrina, your life became tied up with mine during your stay in Dundee with Paul and our joyous music together in the St. Paul’s cathedral church. Through my son and daughter in law this bond became cemented and I only wish that we could help you through this difficult time. Stay strong Katrina, mourn for Paul and let your friends and family share this grief with you. You will get through this time, and let Paul make his final journey as he must. Lots of love from us all.

    • Katrina Posted December 14, 2018 12:13 am

      Thank you so much, Valerie.

  • Valerie Crowe Posted December 13, 2018 3:44 pm

    Katrina, may God give you strength to send Paul on his final journey. Stay strong, grieve, and remember you have many friends who may not be able to be with you on Saturday but are very much with you in thought with prayers.

    • Katrina A. Markel Posted January 2, 2019 12:18 pm

      Thanks, Valerie.

  • Hope Posted December 13, 2018 3:56 pm

    Katrina, I am so sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. To this day I recall a short visit to New York…sitting with Steve D. and Paul at that bar with all the Christmas lights. Paul had just met a girl named Katrina… she was at work but he kept checking his cell phone… he was so smitten Steve and I made fun of him, but it was clear he had found the love of his life. You are in my thoughts. XO

    • Katrina Posted December 14, 2018 12:16 am

      That’s a funny story. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it! – Katrina

  • Veda Flint Posted December 13, 2018 6:59 pm

    Dear Katrina,
    So sorry for your loss????❤️Keeping you in thought and prayer!

    • Katrina Posted December 14, 2018 12:15 am

      Thank you, Mrs. Flint! – Katrina

  • Rhonda Tadin Posted December 13, 2018 8:36 pm

    So very sorry for your loss Katrina, my sympathy and my prayers to you!!

    • Katrina Posted December 14, 2018 12:16 am

      Thank you!

  • Marni Penning Coleman Posted December 13, 2018 10:49 pm

    Katrina –

    I loved hanging out with you and Paul back in our New York days. I’m so sorry for his passing. Far, far to young to leave us so soon. He was such a kind man and he loved you so dearly. We send you love from afar.

    • Katrina A. Markel Posted January 2, 2019 12:15 pm

      Thank you, Marni!

  • Dale & Diane Malcom Posted December 14, 2018 12:22 am

    Katrina,
    Words, however kind, can’t mend your heartache, but those who care and share your loss wish you comfort and peace of mind. May you find strength in the love of family and in the warm embrace of friends. Peace be with you and your family.

    • Katrina A. Markel Posted January 2, 2019 12:19 pm

      Thank you, Malcolm family.

  • Dwight and Beryl Beranek Posted December 14, 2018 12:54 pm

    Katrina, Dwight and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

    • Katrina A. Markel Posted January 2, 2019 12:18 pm

      Thank you, Beryl.

  • Diana Clark Posted December 14, 2018 1:31 pm

    Katrina, My family is sorry to hear of your loss. May the love of family and friends comfort you during these days. May our Lord bless and keep you during this time of grief.

    • Katrina A. Markel Posted January 2, 2019 12:17 pm

      Thank you, Diana.

  • Tony and Jill Buccheri Posted December 14, 2018 2:19 pm

    Katrina,

    Jill and I cannot express how sorry we are for your family’s loss. Though we didn’t have many opportunities to spend time with him, we were struck by how warm and engaging he was. I hope that the memories of Paul and the good times you shared will help to bring you some peace and comfort during this difficult time.

    Prayers for you and your families to help your hearts begin to heal, and that you find some solace in knowing Paul is at rest, and in a much better place.

    With deepest sympathies,
    Tony and Jill Buccheri

    • Katrina A. Markel Posted January 2, 2019 12:17 pm

      Thank you, Tony and Jill.

  • Stephen Didriksen Posted December 17, 2018 1:27 pm

    Katrina,

    I am so sorry to hear of Paul’s passing. Many of my happiest, funniest memories seem to include him, this undoubtedly because he was the one making them happy and fun. Our friendship had an easy camaraderie about it that I appreciate more and more as time goes by, I will miss him so. Please stay strong in these sad and confusing times.

    Stephen

    • Katrina A. Markel Posted January 2, 2019 12:16 pm

      Steve, It’s so good to hear from you. Thank you.

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