Elsie Dora (Schilling) Pauk

Elsie Dora (Schilling) Pauk, age 95, of Britt, Iowa, previously of Clarion, Corwith, and Kanawha, Iowa, passed away peacefully at Westview Care Center of Britt on September 25, 2016.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 403 East Street South in Wesley with Father Peter Nguyen officiating. Interment will take place at St.Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Corwith.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 118 East Second Street in Kanawha and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Elsie was born on December 9, 1920, in Jolley, Iowa, the daughter of Stephen and Dora (Greve) Schilling. Elsie was united in marriage to Fred J. Pauk on November 29, 1941.

Throughout her life, Elsie was dedicated to her family and her church. She shared her talents and skills by actively participating in church choirs, Royal Neighbors, St. Mary’s Ladies' Guild, and as a 4-H leader.

Elsie was tireless worker who took joy in going from one task to another, and she was always willing to lend a helping hand. She was avid baker, known for her cinnamon rolls, pies, cake, cookies, and bread. She loved her flower and vegetable gardens. Even during retirement, she was known for putting up several quarts of tomatoes each year. In the evenings, she would sew, knit or crochet. Several of her handiwork items her family will cherish for years to come.

Fred and Elsie lived and worked on a farm northwest of Kanawha for over 30 years and raised their six children there. When they decided to retire, they moved to Corwith, Iowa.

Elsie was preceded in death by her husband Fred, her mother and father, and her sister and brothers Edna Coble, Richard, Hannes and Francis Schilling.  She is survived by her six children, Fred (Mary) Pauk of Webster City, Iowa, Beverly (Tom) Otey of Fishers, Ind., Mary (Ray) Pals of Panora, IA., Barbara Pauk of Garner, Iowa, Roger (Jean) Pauk of Madison, Wis., James (Cindy) Pauk of Clarion, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 1 great great-grandchild.

Elsie sowed many seeds throughout her life, but the lessons she taught us continue to help us grow and flourish. We will miss her advice, her cinnamon rolls, and those perfectly shaped dinner buns.