Paul Papke

Paul Junior Papke, age 84, of rural Sabula, Iowa, passed away Monday, July 21, 2008, at Mercy Living Center, in Clinton, Iowa. A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 24, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Miller-Law-Jones Funeral Home in Preston, Iowa. Burial will be private beside his late wife of 50 years in Sterling Cemetery, Sterling, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Courageous, Monticello, Iowa, or to the Mercy Living Center Hospice, Clinton, Iowa.

Paul was born in the family home in rural Sabula, Iowa, on June 13, 1924, to Elmer and Florence ( Mackeprang) Papke. After growing up in Clinton County, Paul and his parents moved to rural Miles, Iowa. Paul attended country schools and graduated from the Miles Community School.

Paul and Betty Jean Weets were married on June 13, 1947 in the Preston Lutheran Church, and farmed together for over 50 years. Paul and Betty Jean had three children; Larry S. (special friend Aleda Lohmeier) Papke, of rural Sabula, Iowa, James A. Papke, of Miles, Iowa, and Dorene Papke, of Clinton, Iowa.

Paul enjoyed nature, wildlife and the out-doors. He was deeply interested in local history and served as a past president of the Jackson County Historical Society.

Paul will be dearly missed by his two sons and daughter, his two grandsons and their wives, three great grandsons, three great granddaughters, his sister Lola (Rodney) Wilson, of Miles, Iowa, and a special friend, Ester Weirup.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Betty Jean, and his brother Kenneth.

The Papke family would like to thank Maquoketa Medical Associates, Maquoketa, Iowa, Trinity Hospital at Terrace Park, Davenport, Iowa, and Mercy Living Center and Hospice, Clinton, Iowa. The wonderful staff at Mercy Living Center made our loss so much easier.