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David Grant Paul

David Grant Paul a lifelong resident of Laurel entered his eternal home Friday, June 11, 2021 at St Francis Manor in Grinnell surrounded by his family.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 16th, at the United Methodist Church in Laurel. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery in Laurel.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 15th, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with the Paul family present from 5:00 to 7:00 Tuesday evening.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Paul family, which will be designated to a memorial in David’s honor, and may be sent in c/o to the Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.

David was born in Grinnell, May 9,1936 to Francis and Verna Grant Paul. He graduated from Laurel Community School in 1954. David attended Drake University before returning to Laurel to take over the family farm.

David was united in marriage in Laurel on September 25, 1955 to Joyce Sietmann, the daughter of Carl and Ethel Sietmann. They were married 65 years and were blessed with 4 daughters, Dawn, Cindy, Jeri & Connie.

Faith, family & farming were everything to David. He was a life long active member of the Laurel United Methodist Church serving in a variety of capacities including teaching Senior High Sunday School. He was involved in the Prison Ministry at the Newton Correctional Facility for many years. He was also a member of the PromiseKeepers men’s group. Attending church with his family was extremely important to him.

David and Joyce raised their family on the family farm southeast of Laurel. This homestead received the Heritage Farm Award in 2020 where the farm had been in the family for 150 years. Throughout his farming career he raised sheep, hogs, and cattle along with crops of corn, bean, and oats. He was a second generation 4-H member and kept his children and grandkids (the fourth generation) involved teaching responsibility, perseverance, and hard work.

David served his community and was a long-time board member of the Laurel Telephone Company later known as Heart of Iowa Communications Cooperative, a charter member of the Laurel Lion’s Club, and was on the board of the Laurel Elevator. David was a wonderful storyteller, quick witted and enjoyed visiting with family, friends and never knew a stranger.

David and Joyce loved to travel and visited nearly every state in the Union including Hawaii and Alaska. They were fortunate to spend time with close friends in Ireland and visit the roots of the Paul family farm and church.

David was a sports enthusiast having played baseball, basketball, and football himself. He enjoyed watching all his grandkids participate in sports as well. David and Joyce cheered on Drake, Iowa, ISU, and UNI with family connections to all these colleges.

Above all David was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa. Those left to cherish and honor David’s memory are his wife, Joyce. Their four daughters Dawn Dillman, Grinnell, Cindy Paul of Altoona, Jeri (Tom) Graham, Grinnell, and Connie Scurr, Grinnell. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Amy(Joe) Price of Urbandale, Matt (Becky) Dillman, Grinnell, Amber (Adam) Wolthuizen, Valley Springs, South Dakota, Hannah (Sean) O’Connor, Indianapolis, Indiana, Blake (Erinn) Scurr, Coal Valley, IL, Clayton Scurr, Grinnell, Catelyn Graham, Kansas City, Kansas, and Christian Graham, Dexter. Great grandchildren, Hunter, Bailey, Norah, Boden Price, Caden Dillman, Jacob Copeland, Luke Dillman, Aubrey, Avery, Jameson Wolthuizen, and Savannah Scurr. Along with many dear nieces and nephews.

David was preceded in death by his parents Francis & Verna Grant Paul, his brother James, and son-in-law, Tom Dillman.

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