Jane E. Paul

Jane Elizabeth Paul, one of three children of Charles Edward Potter and Barbara Elizabeth (Heidner) Potter, was born July 8, 1923, in Bozeman, Montana. She attended elementary school in Bozeman and graduated from Chevy Chase High School in Chevy Chase, Maryland. She majored in Home Economics at Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa.

While at Iowa State, Jane met Harry Emmett Paul on a blind date and the two fell in love. During WWII, Jane worked testing ballistics in Washington, DC, for the U.S. Navy Bureau of Standards. On December 6, 1947, Jane and Harry were united in marriage at the Presbyterian Church in Chevy Chase, Maryland. They established their first home in an 8-foot by 27-foot travel trailer, purchased from Harry's cousin, on the Paul family farm near Henderson, Iowa. Two and one-half years later, they moved into their present farm home. Their marriage was blessed with five children; Charles Ashton, Elizabeth Ann, John Addison, Katherine Marie and James Benson.

The Paul family traveled often on family vacations with favorite destinations including Lake Okoboji, Colorado, Florida and South Dakota. Many of the early family trips were centered around Harry looking at livestock for the family farm. The family was always busy with many 4-H projects and fairs, church, sports and other school activities.

Together, Jane and Harry enjoyed a variety of activities including bowling and golfing but first on her list was her family. Jane and Harry also loved traveling together and later became snowbirds going to Arizona each winter.

Having grown up in the city, Jane very quickly learned the role of a farmer's wife. Among her many tasks, she was a parts runner to various implement stores in the area. And, with less than 30 minutes notice, she was able to prepare meals in the home or deliver them to the field for mechanics and hay and silage crews. She learned to milk cows and graciously opened her home as a hospital for baby sheep, pigs, calves and goats. The Paul farm had many pets running around the house and yard including dogs, cats, sheep, rabbits, birds, chameleons, an alligator, raccoons and even a badger.

Jane taught her children to always do their best and kept a copy of an article on the kitchen cabinet titled "Pretty Good is Not Good Enough". Belonging to "The Greatest Generation", as depicted by Tom Brokaw, she believed in leaving the world a better place for generations to come. Demonstrating her belief she made community involvement and acts of kindness a priority. She also became one of the first to practice recycling.

Jane was a member of the Henderson United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. She enjoyed bridge club, playing the piano, sewing, and gardening. Jane served her community as a 4-H leader, Bible school teacher, Cub Scout leader, Farm Creek Cemetery Beautification Committee member; her state as a member of the Iowa Judicial Selection Committee and the Educational Committee; and her nation as Mills County Campaign Chairperson for President George H. Bush. For many years, Jane served as a poll worker for county, state and national elections.

Surrounded by her loving family, Jane passed away at Risen Son Christian Village in Council Bluffs, Iowa on August 6, 2008 at the age of 85 years and 29 days. Jane and Harry had celebrated 60 years of marriage on December 6, 2007.

Jane was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Helen Bower Rush and brothers-in-law Bob Bower and Tom Rush.

Jane is survived by her husband Harry Paul of Henderson, Iowa; children, Charles Paul and wife Suzanne of Henderson, Iowa, Betsy Johns and husband Bill of Malvern, Iowa, John Paul and wife Cathy of Henderson, Iowa, Katherine Toman and husband Joel of Manitou Springs, Colorado, James Paul and wife Harva of Hastings, Iowa; brother Tom Potter and wife Betsy of Jacksonville, Florida; fourteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Memorials are suggested to the Farm Creek Cemetery and/or the American Cancer Society.