Paula Maxheim

October 26, 1941 — November 22, 2023

Paula Maxheim

Service Details

Paula Maxheim, 82, died of complications of a covid long haul on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. On that day she was swept away through the gates of heaven to see her Savior’s face first of all. The change of address came quickly and expectedly. The down payment was made with Christ’s death on the cross, the new real estate was locked in. She gave her life to Christ as a child and served her Lord throughout her life.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Friends will be greeted one hour prior to the service. Reception to follow.

Paula was born to Velma (Miller) Maxheim and Wilbur Maxheim on October 26, 1941, in Ames, Iowa. Her father served in the Navy and her mother owned and operated Maxheim Photography in Ames, Iowa. When her father returned from the Navy in 1945, her mom and dad moved to Des Moines and together they owned and operated a full-service photography studio, until their retirement in 1985.

Paula graduated from Valley High School in West Des Moines. After graduation, she attended The University of Iowa College of Nursing. She later went on to Drake University and earned her BA and Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

She served in many professional capacities throughout her life, including a stock and commodity broker, County Welfare, and developed actions for Foster Grandparents Program in Des Moines, Woodward, and Charles City. Paula later became President and CEO of corporate Maid-Rite, until it was sold. Afterwards, she owned and operated the 50-year-old family business, Maxheim Photography, a full-service photography studio (portraits, weddings, seniors, and special events). She later specialized in photo restoration of old and damaged photos. Her art photography has won several international photography awards. Paula produced many pieces of art photography including: “Doors of Des Moines”, “Round Barns of Iowa”, and “Tops of Des Moines”, which have been sent worldwide. She also conducted photo workshops as well as private tutoring in photography and Photoshop. From 2012 – 2014 she taught Basic Digital Photography and Photoshop at Grandview University as an Adjunct Professor.

Volunteering was important to Paula. She spent much of her time in service to others. She did short-term mission work in Haiti and France. Paula volunteered as a photographer for “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” photographing demised babies for grieving families.

She had a local Christian radio program “Hi-Point” and was also involved with the inception and development of the Christian Women’s Club in Des Moines. Paula was the GOP photographer when Reagan campaigned in Iowa and was photographer for both Reagan’s presidential inaugurations and the first George Bush inauguration.

Paula is survived by many cousins and dear friends.

She gave her life to Christ as a child and served her Lord throughout her life. In Christ then - with Christ now.

And as Ruth Bell Graham so succinctly said in her obituary “End of Construction. Thank you for your patience.”

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