GRATIAS, Paul William 1921-2007

GRATIAS AHRENS

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 1/17/2007 at 20:22:27

Funeral services for Paul William Gratias, age 85, of Osage, Iowa, were held on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, at the Eden Presbyterian Church, 3105 Glass Ave., Rudd, Iowa, with Rev. John Bates officiating. Burial was in the Eden Presbyterian Cemetery. Paul went to be with our Lord on Tuesday morning, Jan. 9, 2007. He passed away at the Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Osage.

Paul was born in rural Nora Springs, Iowa, to Hugo [Hugo Gustav] and Katherine (nee Ahrens) Gratias on November 14, 1921. He was baptized at Eden Presbyterian Church, where he remained a life-long member. He graduated from Nora Springs High School in 1940.

Paul married LaVera Minnie Nash of Marble Rock, on December 21, 1947. They had three children together and celebrated 52 years of marriage. Paul farmed much of his life on the family farm near Nora Springs. From 1965-1980 he was a driver for Como Photo, covering up to 400 miles a day across northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. Paul and LaVera moved from the farm to Osage in 1982. He was a resident of Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care since July 2002.

Paul William Gratias was preceded in death by his wife, LaVera; his daughter, Mavis Mohring Rosauer; sisters, Lorraine Siemens, Helen Quandahl, Ethel Taylor, and Dorothy Gratias; and brothers, Walter Gratias and Ralph Gratias.

He is survived by his son, Raymond (Cheryl) Gratias and grandson, Benjamin Gratias of Fort Collins, Colorado; his son, Roger Gratias, of Osage; grandson, Justin Mohring, of Cedar Rapids; and granddaughter, Jolene Mohring Frazier of Fort Washington, Maryland; his brother, Arthur (Alice) Gratias of Mason City; sister-in-law, Florence Gratias (wife of Walter) of Nora Springs; and many nephews and nieces.

Arrangments were made by Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, Iowa -- phone: (641)732-3706.

[ Modified from obituary on www.mcpress.com - Jan 17, 2007 - Mitchell County Press ]