Paula Vanderley
Paula Calkins Vanderley, 81, of Marshalltown, IA passed away March 6, 2024, at the Iowa Veterans Home surrounded by her loving family. A memorial service will be held at Mitchell Family Funeral Home on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 4:30 PM. There will be a visitation at 4:00 PM, prior to the service. Those attending may honor Paula’s enthusiasm for Iowa State athletics by wearing Cyclones gear. Light refreshments will follow the service. Memorial contributions will be directed to the family for later designation.
Paula Joy Calkins Vanderley was born October 21, 1942 to Lyle Burdeen Calkins and Glorine Paula DeVilbiss Calkins in State Center, Iowa. She grew up in Melbourne, Iowa and later moved to Marshalltown during her elementary school years where she attended Glick Elementary School. Paula graduated with the Marshalltown High School Class of 1961. During her high school years she was active in a variety of activities to include: Homeroom Officer, Student Senate, Pep Club, Girls Basketball, Usher, Girls Recreation Association, Mixed Chorus, Junior/Senior Glee Club, Y-Teen President, and G-Y. Paula was a member of First United Methodist Church, until attending St. Mary’s Catholic Church in 1980. At the time of her death, she was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
Paula’s first job was at the A & W Restaurant in Marshalltown. Following high school graduation she graduated from cosmetology school in Des Moines, Iowa. It was during this time she met Gary Vanderley of Des Moines, Iowa, and the two were married on July 17, 1962 in Omaha, Nebraska. They lived in California while Gary was enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Following Gary’s military service, the couple moved to Marshalltown in 1967. They moved to Ankeny, Iowa in 1995, and returned to Marshalltown in 2018. Paula worked full-time as a bookkeeper for Walgreens from 1970-1995, then part-time until retirement in 2017.
Paula enjoyed family camping, vacations, and annual family trips to Lake Okoboji. She also loved gardening, growing flowers, yard work, and her family pets. She attended all of her children’s and grandchildren’s activities. Paula and Gary were instrumental in starting the MHS Bobcats Booster Club. She had a passion for the ISU Cyclones. She and Gary rarely missed attending a game since the early 1970s.
Paula is survived by her husband, Gary Vanderley of Marshalltown, daughter Missy Vanderley of Ankney, IA, daughter Mindy (Matthew) Tullis of Marshalltown, IA, and son Marcus Vanderley (Ashley Palmer) of Des Moines, IA. She is also survived by her sister Bonita Sharp of Lake View, IA, grandchildren Kelsey, Jenna, Adam, Jake, Ian, Austin, and Brooke, and great-granddaughters Hadley and Brinley.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Rodney Calkins of Marshalltown.