Paula Grahs
July 27, 1956 ~ November 10, 2020
Paula Joan Grahs, 64, of Cedar Rapids, died on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. Services will be private for the family with burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Arrangements are with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include her siblings, Jerry (Amy) Grahs of North Liberty and Cheryl (Dan) Lown of North English; brother-in-law, Bruce Lacy of Cedar Rapids; nieces and nephews, Tyler (Sarah) Lown, Korie (Matt) Mangiaracina, Aaron Lacy, Ethan Lacy, Sarah Lacy, Jacob (Hannah) Lacy, Meghan Grahs, William Grahs, and Mae Grahs; great nephew, Cade; and great niece, Norah.
Paula was born on July 27, 1956, in Alexandra, Virginia, the daughter of Vincent Jerome and Joan Parsons (Greenleaf) Grahs. She graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1974, Finley Nursing School in 1977, and the University of Dubuque with her BSN in 1985. Paula was a nurse at Finley Hospital from 1977-88, followed by stops in Decorah and Iowa City. Most of her career was at UnityPoint-St. Luke's Hospital as an operating room nurse before retiring from the purchasing department in 2018.
Paula served in the US Naval Reserve for over 20 years, retiring in 2008 as Lieutenant Commander. She received the LCDR Beatrice M. Ratner Award for Outstanding Junior Naval Reserve Nurse Corps Office of the Year in 1997.
She will be remembered for her gifts with fiber arts. Paula called herself a 'process knitter', and won many state fair ribbons for her beautiful pieces. She always had her knitting bag by her side and enjoyed spinning her own yarn and dyeing wool. Paula also loved animals and will be missed her dog, Sassy, and cats, Bear and Daisy. She loved spending time with her family, especially nieces and nephews. They will remember many hikes and trips to national parks around the country.
Paula was preceded in death by her parents, and sister, Christine Lacy.
Memorials may be directed to Last Hope Animal Rescue or SAINT Rescue & Adoption Center.
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We are thinking of you during this difficult time.
Paula knit next to me in knitting groups many times, and I will miss her. She always had amusing stories to share about her animals and spoke warmly of her family. She created beautiful fiber and knitted objects, which is only natural, because of the love and beauty within her. I will miss her gentle humor, her sweet nature, and her friendship.
Paula was a friend and superior in the Reserves that I had respect for. We spent time in the Mohave dessert and many other places. She will be missed.
Paula was a friend and superior in the Reserves that I had respect for. We spent time in the Mohave dessert and many other places. She will be missed.
I have many shared memories with Paula as we were in the Navy reserves together. A wonderful officer, nurse and friend. She will be greatly missed.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family
So sorry for your lost. She was one of my nurse bosses in the Navy Reserves. Always so professional. God rest her. HMC Bill Mayne
I knew Paula from the Naval Reserves. She was an outstanding person that i was fortunate to be around. Thoughts and Prayers to all.
To Paula‘s family and friends my heartfelt condolences. She was both a friend, I fellow nurse, and a fellow reservist. Her love for profession, the Navy, and her family was to be commended. I remember the time our unit went repelling at the Maquoketa caves. She laughed as she recalled what her mother would think of her adventure.Prayers go out to you at this time for your loss. Priscilla Laubscher Capt USNR (Ret)
I worked with Paula at St. lukes. Paula always had a reason for the purchases that were made and responded to challenges with poise and facts. She spoke lovingly and often of her nieces and nephews! Her fabric arts were truly unique, beautiful, and stitched with love. Jolene Ott
Thinking of my friend, Cheryl, and all her loved ones. I’m so sorry for your loss. Wish I could give you a hug.
I was blessed to have served in the military with Paula. Slept side by side in a general purpose tent in the Mojave desert training for war. My deepest sympathy, love and prayer to the family. May you treasure every memory. She was an amazing nurse and friend. Laura Dwinnells Duerr RN
So sorry for your loss Cheryl & family. Thoughts & prayers are with you.
Dear family, May God’s mercy, love, and grace hold you up during this time sorrow. Paula was a dear friend of mine who will always be in my heart with many fond memories. My deepest sympathy and prayers, Bonnie
It was my honor to have served with and under LCDR Grahs in the old Fleet Hospital days. I will always remember her leadership, warmth and kindness. She mentored me as a Petty Officer 1st Class and as a new Chief. She was a wonderful person and a great officer.
I knew Paula from local knitting and fiber groups. She was always friendly and included everyone in her conversations. She was a fast knitter and crafted beautiful handspun yarns. I will miss seeing her.
I worked side by side many years with Paula at St Luke’s on many different projects. She loved her knitting and her vacations she spent with family. She loved her nieces and nephews. Sincere sympathy to all of you
I worked with Paula at UnityPoint. Loved her laugh. Loved how she took care of people. Amazing woman. She will be missed.
Worked with Paula at Unity Pointe till I retired, always enjoyed talking with her. I am sure she will be missed. My condolences to her family!
I worked with Paula for many years at St. Luke’s. One of my favorite people to work with. Such a lovely soul. God has a beautiful angel. Will keep her family in my prayers.
I worked with Paula while I ran the Iowa Health Distribution Center. She was always great to work with because of her dedication, intelligence, and her desire to do what was best for Iowa Health! She always had a smile and seemed to be able to always laugh! I spent many hours working with her and she was always a pleasure to work with!! To her family I am so sorry for your loss!! Bud Taber
So sad to hear this news, I believe I hired Paula to St Luke’s OR in the early nineties. I so enjoyed working with Paula. She was respectful, professional, content expert and had a great sense of humor. She will be missed,
We attended several Naval Reserve IDTT and active duty rotations together. I believe our first IDTT meeting was for shipboard firefighting Treasure Island. LCDR Grahs was so well balanced and fun; all business then creative needlework. Truly, someone to emulate. HM2 Carrie Horn NR FH 500 CBTZ 21 DET C (Now, Carrie Delaney BSN RN)
I am sorry to hear about Paula. I worked with Paula at UnityPoint St.Luke’s for many years. I remember her in the OR and in Supply Distribution. She could always be counted on to do her best and with a smile. I just want you to know how much she was cared for and about. Sympathies to you, Mary Ann Osborn
I worked side by side with Paula before her retirement. She was deeply passionate about her family, work, and her fur family. She was a wonderful friend and mentor and I will miss her very much. My sincere condolences to her family.
I had the pleasure of working with and learning from Paula. She was always ready to help others and provide input form her enormous knowledge. My sincere condolences to her family. We will always miss her.
Paula was a special friend. My condolences to her family. I worked with her at UnityPoint Health beginning in 2000. I was privileged to attend her retirement from the military. She was kind, thoughtful and so talented. Her friendship was a gift. She enjoyed spending time with her family. She will be missed.
Paula was an amazingly funny and intelligent co worker, I leaned on her so many times for her expertise. She was so fond of her nieces and nephews, talked about them countless times, as well as her fur babies. I remember going to the IA State Fair and seeing her Knit work on display with a Blue Ribbon! Sent that picture to our other coworkers, so they could appreciate her talent as well. Paula was a wonderful friend, she was truly a gift to me. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Although I only worked closely with Paula a few years at Unitypoint, she touched my life with positivity and encouragement! A very special lady and friend. Kathy Pettus