Marla Katherine Paul

Marla Katherine Paul
of Des Moines, Iowa

Marla Paul, age 83, passed away on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at Courtyard Estates in Pleasant Hill. She was born the daughter of Clifford and Dorothy (Cook) Roberts on August 31, 1938 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Marla loved to play baseball with neighborhood kids and was quite a tomboy. The whole family worked in the garden and canned produce. Once while swinging on neighbor’s picket fence, she fell and the fence post went into her neck. Her dad had to rush her to the hospital.

Marla’s first husband was Roland (Rollie) Farr. They married right out of high school and adopted their son, Greg. However, Rollie died in a work accident just 4 years after they were married. Marla’s second husband was Earl W. (John) Paul. They were married (May 5, 1967) for almost 52 years. John had four daughters and he adopted Greg creating their unique family unit. John was a sign painter and installer. Together, he and Marla, owned several companies in Des Moines including: (Quick Sign, Paul Sign, Signs Plus and Signs-N-More).

Marla and John lived on their ‘farm’ (5-7 acres) near the fairgrounds. They had horses, an occasional cow, dogs, and cats. Also, they raised turkeys, quail & pheasants. Marla liked to play Bingo, dice, dominoes, cards and other games. She played the organ and piano. She loved to listen/sing to a variety of music especially church music; as well as, western music and singing Karaoke.

Marla and John attended church on a regular basis including Bible Studies. Her favorite saying was, “Angels Around You”!

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving daughters, Billie Jo Fielder & Jackie Wood, grandchildren Shawna, Jon, Tim, Misty, Travis, J.R., Natalie, Patrice, and Jennie, many great-grandchildren, siblings Russell (Beverly) Roberts, Sharon Prichard, and Winni Puck, numerous nieces, nephews, other loving family members & friends who were considered family.

Marla was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Roland Farr in 1963, second husband John Paul in 2018, children Greg Paul, Johnna Strege, and Donna Pishny, and siblings Barbara (Richard) Berry & Wendy Fitzlaff.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Please join us after the internment as we continue to celebrate Marla’s life at Glad Tidings Assembly of God 314 E. Army Post Rd., Des Moines, Iowa 50315.

Those planning on an expression of sympathy, please direct your memorials to the Hospice of the Midwest.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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