Paula Joan Grahs, 27 Jul 1956 - 10 Nov 2020

GRAHS, GREENLEAF, LOWN, MANGIARACINA, LACY

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 12/4/2020 at 11:11:48

Paula Joan Grahs, 64, of Cedar Rapids, died on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. Services will be private for the family with burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include her siblings, Jerry (Amy) Grahs of North Liberty and Cheryl (Dan) Lown of North English; brother-in-law, Bruce Lacy of Cedar Rapids; nieces and nephews, Tyler (Sarah) Lown, Korie (Matt) Mangiaracina, Aaron Lacy, Ethan Lacy, Sarah Lacy, Jacob (Hannah) Lacy, Meghan Grahs, William Grahs, and Mae Grahs; great nephew, Cade; and great niece, Norah.

Paula was born on July 27, 1956, in Alexandra, Virginia, the daughter of Vincent Jerome and Joan Parsons (Greenleaf) Grahs. She graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1974, Finley Nursing School in 1977, and the University of Dubuque with her BSN in 1985. Paula was a nurse at Finley Hospital from 1977-88, followed by stops in Decorah and Iowa City. Most of her career was at UnityPoint-St. Luke’s Hospital as an operating room nurse before retiring from the purchasing department in 2018.

Paula served in the US Naval Reserve for over 20 years, retiring in 2008 as Lieutenant Commander. She received the LCDR Beatrice M. Ratner Award for Outstanding Junior Naval Reserve Nurse Corps Office of the Year in 1997.

She will be remembered for her gifts with fiber arts. Paula called herself a “process knitter”, and won many state fair ribbons for her beautiful pieces. She always had her knitting bag by her side and enjoyed spinning her own yarn and dyeing wool. Paula also loved animals and will be missed her dog, Sassy, and cats, Bear and Daisy. She loved spending time with her family, especially nieces and nephews. They will remember many hikes and trips to national parks around the country.

Paula was preceded in death by her parents, and sister, Christine Lacy.

Memorials may be directed to Last Hope Animal Rescue or SAINT Rescue & Adoption Center.

Please share your support and memories with Paula's family on her tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette on November 13, 2020.