Paul Francis VanDeWalle

Paul F. VanDeWalle, 84, of Cedar Rapids, NE passed away Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at the Boone County Health Center in Albion, NE.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 30, 2023, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, NE with Fr. Mark Tomasiewicz officiating. Burial will follow at St. Anthony's Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, NE. Visitation will be 3:00-5:00 p.m. Sunday at the church with a 5:00 p.m. wake service.
Levander Funeral Home of Albion is in charge of arrangements.
Paul Francis VanDeWalle, son of Francis C. and Ethel Blanche (Wheeler) VanDeWalle was born on December 3, 1938, in rural Cedar Rapids, NE. He was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic faith at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, NE. He attended District #50 until the 8th grade at which time he transferred to Cedar Rapids Public School and graduated with the class of 1957. Following graduation, heattended UNL and was a member of Ag Man Fraternity as well as the Army ROTC program.
On February 7, 1960, Paul was united in marriage to Carol Jean Vermeer at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, NE. From this union Paul was blessed with four children. Together the couple lived on a farm near Belgrade until 1970, when they moved to a new farm near Cedar Rapids. In 1985, the couple moved into Cedar Rapids.
Paul worked the farm of 4,000 acres and tended to the cattle and swine. Paul was proud of being one of the first ranchers in Nebraska to do embryo transplants with his registered cattle. He loved watching and working with the show cattle and attending shows. He enjoyed the life of being a farmer and rancher. He was the manager for the NFO collection point at Cedar Rapids, sold insurance and securities.
Paul was a lifetime member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church. He was a member of the Boone County Fair Board for over 40 years from 1981-present. He was also a Nebraska Polled Hereford Association Board of Directors, Charter Member of the Nebraska Cattlemen's Association, Boone County Farm Bureau President and Executive Board member. He was on 4-H Council, Extension Board Member, and was a 4-H leader. He was on the Nebraska Department of Agriculture Trade Commission to Mexico from 1992-1994 and was a delegate of Troika Agricultural Mission to Russia in 1987. He was 1974 Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher, Boone County Jaycees, and the Runner- Up State Outstanding Young Farmer, Nebraska Jaycees.
Paul will be remembered for being a farmer, rancher, and his woodworking skills. He loved to travel and spend time with his family, going "out-backing", traveling to historical places, and he always had the "gift of gab". He would share stories about anything with those that would listen. He loved visits from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Paul is survived by his four children: Steven (Melissa) VanDeWalle of Cedar Rapids, NE; Mark (Cam) VanDeWalle of Cedar Rapids, NE; Jeanne (Jerry) Wolken of Tecumseh, NE; Lisa (Kendall) Schuster of Elk Creek, NE; significant other: Diann Critel of York, NE; 14 grandchildren: Joshua (Kellie) VanDeWalle; Matthew (Tyra) Urkoski; Amanda VanDeWalle; Megan VanDeWalle; Derek (Christina) Wolken; Samantha (fiancé Ben Gaukel) VanDeWalle; Michael (Alexis) VanDeWalle; Brittany (Corey) Nepomuck; Ashley (Zach) Oquist; Caitlyn VanDeWalle; Paul VanDeWalle; Lexie (fiancé Jacob Hennig) Schuster; Delayne (fiancé Triston Mendenhall) Schuster; Beth Wolken; 12 great-grandchildren; siblings: Liz (Gale) Carder of Albion, NE; Martha Janda of Texas; Robert (Judy) VanDeWalle of Albion, NE; Leo (Leona) VanDeWalle of Cedar Rapids, NE; Leonard VanDeWalle of Burwell, NE; Albert VanDeWalle of Albion, NE; along with many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded by his parents; wife: Carol in 2009; infant daughter: Paula VanDeWalle; infant granddaughter: Tessa VanDeWalle; and brother: Donald VanDeWalle.