Lorene Paul

1936 - 2025

Lorene Paul, 89, of Hamilton, Illinois, passed away Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at 12:50 p.m. in Hamilton, at the home of her loving caregiver Janet Johnson.

Lorene was born Oct. 14, 1936, at home in Basco, Illinois, the daughter of Clarence and Myrtle (Trautvetter) Koehler.

She attended Warsaw High School, graduating in 1954, and then went on to receive her nursing degree from Blessing School of Nursing in 1957.

On May 5, 1956, she was united in marriage with Ronald Paul at Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Sutter. He survives.

Lorene had worked as a registered nurse at Blessing Hospital in Quincy for a time before moving to be with her husband who was in the Air Force. She then worked in a small hospital in Maryland, until they moved back home. Once back in the area she worked at Graham Hospital in Keokuk, which later became Keokuk Area Hospital. She retired from there in 1999. She was an excellent nurse and a great role model to many in the years that she worked. Lorene was a genuinely kind and loving wife, mother, and grandmother and saw the best in everyone. She will be deeply missed by her family.

Lorene was a lifelong member of Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Sutter, and also attended the Church of Christ in Kahoka, when she and Ron lived there. She enjoyed staying active in Bridge Club, the Young Mother's Club of Hamilton, and Tuesday Club (which sometimes met on Wednesday as they would say) in Kahoka. Besides playing bridge, she loved traveling, going to Texas, playing the piano, and watching or listening to the St. Louis Cardinals whenever she could. She especially enjoyed and loved her grandchildren and attended their events whenever possible.

Lorene is survived by her husband Ronald of Hamilton; her daughter Debbie Donahue of Hamilton; grandsons, Brandon (Michele) Shoen, Andrew (Stephanie) Shoen, and Joe (Bailey) Donahue; great-grandsons, Trent Shoen, Caleb Shoen, Calvin Shoen, Conor Donahue, and Rhys Donahue; great-granddaughter, Olive Donahue; her sister Linda (Steve) Rhoades; nephews, Geoff (Jen) Rhoades, Justin (Lindsay) Rhoades, and Ben Rhoades; great-nephews, Cooper and Cade Rhoades; and her devoted caregiver for several years, Janet Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a great-grandson, Reid Pfeiferling; and her brother, Kenneth Koehler.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27 at Bethlehem United Church of Christ near Sutter, with burial to follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Hamilton.

Visitation will be from noon until time of services at 1 p.m. at the church.

Memorials may be directed to Bethlehem United Church of Christ or the Alzheimer's Association.

Printy Funeral Home of Hamilton is in charge of arrangements.