Paula Farlow

Paula E. Farlow, daughter of Richard (Dick) and Alice Lass, was born July 4, 1956, in Des Moines, Iowa, and passed from this life peacefully on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at her home in Osceola, Iowa, at 69 years of age, with her family by her side.
Paula grew up in Ogden, Iowa, and graduated from Ogden High School. She attended beauty school and later went to nursing school, where she completed her LPN. Paula loved being a nurse and helped countless people during her 30 years of service at the VA Hospital in Des Moines, retiring in 2019. Paula was united in marriage to James P. Farlow on November 21, 2014, and they had just celebrated their eleventh anniversary.
Paula always had a pleasant smile for everyone she met. She loved her family and her many friends. She enjoyed going places-especially shopping trips with her very good friend, Marilyn. Paula looked forward to watching her Westerns, with Wagon Train being her favorite. She enjoyed camping, cooking, gardening, and traveling. Jim and Paula visited many places together, including Estes Park, the Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest, Branson, Germany, and many others. Paula loved all animals and had many beloved pets over the years. Spending time with her grandchildren was her greatest joy.
Paula was a highly devoted Christian, beginning every morning with Bible study. She attended the Weldon Christian Church, where she found a loving church family. She often commented on how wonderful it felt as they headed home after services.
Paula was preceded in death by her mother, Alice Lass. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Jim Farlow of Osceola, IA; her father, Dick (Irene), of Ogden, IA; daughter, Sarah (Brad) Hovey of Ridgeland, SC; son, Dale Higgins of Maxwell, IA; son, Joey (Christina) Higgins of Des Moines, IA; grandchildren, Kayleen (Chandler) Kline of Los Alamos, NM, Emma and Nora Hovey, Kenik Pierce of Maxwell, IA, Karver Higgins, Zander, Zoe, and soon-to-arrive baby Zara Higgins; sisters, Jeanne (John) McDonald of Fort Mill, SC, and Vickie Simpson of Beaverton, OR; as well as other relatives and many friends.
Services will be held at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with Jim Lane officiating. The family will greet friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. until service time on Monday, December 8, 2025, at the funeral home.
A live stream of the service will be available on Paula's tribute wall at kalefuneralhome.com beginning at 11:00 a.m. Monday. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105
Online condolences may be shared with the family at kalefuneralhome.com.