Paula was born on December 26, 1947, in Marshalltown, the daughter of Paul and Elizabeth Jean (Banzhaf) Dieffenderfer. She grew up in Marshalltown and was raised by her mother and step father, Kempton Smith. On August 8, 1963, she was united in marriage to James Nablo at the First United Methodist Church in Marshalltown. She graduated from the Marshalltown High School with the class of 1965. The couple has lived all their lives in Marshalltown where Paula was a daycare provider for many families and was a Girl Scout Leader. She was a devoted and active member of Faith Church where she taught Sunday School, played piano, sang and made floral arrangements for the church. She was also a member of the Worship Team and the Women’s Ministries. Paula enjoyed crafts, ceramics and arranging flowers.

Survivors include her husband, Jim; her children: Michael (Karen) Nablo, Deborah (Tom) Spence and DeAnn Dudley; seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren; her siblings: Marian Hyde, Alice Bell, Larry Dieffenderfer and Dorothy Dieffenderfer and step brothers, Richard and Jack Smith.

In eternal life, Paula is reunited with her parents.