Paul Andrew Upah, 85

Paul Andrew Upah, 85, of Marshalltown and formerly of Tama, passed away December 27, 2022, at Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown. A Memorial Visitation was held Saturday, December 31, 2022, from 9-10 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with a Memorial Mass following at 10:00 AM at the church. Friends were welcome to join the family at the church Parish Center following the Mass for food and fellowship. Interment will be held at a future date at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Tama.

Paul was born on September 28, 1937, in Victor, Iowa, the son of Joseph Francis and Mary Elizabeth (Reitzler) Upah. They had eleven children.

He graduated from Chelsea High School.

On June 28, 1958, he was united in marriage to Beulah Tish at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Brooklyn, Iowa. Paul retired from GTE Telephone Company at fifty-five years old. He then worked for Hardon’s Plumbing and Heating. Many community members knew Paul as a handyman who could build, fix or repair anything. Paul was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama and a long-standing active member of the Lion Club and Kiwanis Club. Paul was a volunteer firefighter in Traer. He enjoyed playing cards with friends and family, fishing, woodworking, morning coffee group and helping anyone.

Survivors include his children: Becky Powell, of Columbia, MO, Karen Swenson (Jerry Fuller), of Toledo, and Pam (Dave) Rickertsen, of Clinton; seven grandchildren: Andy Patterson, of Atlanta, GA, Kellie (Bryan) Burger, of Columbia, MO, Brittany Powell (Jake Bowman), of Columbia, MO, Erin Patterson (Jeff Lopshire), of Eldridge, Rochelle Childs (Alex Strehle), of Clinton, Cody Childs (Courtney Ubben), of Des Moines, and Nina (Bryan) Anderson, of Toledo; seven great grandchildren: Brenden and Christopher Burger, Remington Bowman, Henry Lopshire, Braydan, Raena and Beckett Anderson; his twin sister, Pauline Mensing, of North Dakota, and sisters, MaryLou Van De Walle, of Grinnell, and Linda Dubois, of Louisiana; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Beulah on November 6, 2022; his siblings: Buster Upah, Bernard Upah, Robert Upah, Jimmy Upah, Carolyn Albano, Jane Hanzelka and Lois Ann Vitek.

Memorials may be directed to Iowa River Hospice.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.