Bradley D. Pauling

SIOUX CITY -- Bradley Dean Pauling, 73, of Sioux City passed away Monday, April 23, 2012, at a Sioux City hospital from a stroke due to complications with mylofibrosis and other illnesses.
Memorial services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday at First Lutheran Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Friday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Larkin Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Brad was born on Jan. 25, 1939, in Paullina, Iowa, to Elon and Ida (Fiddelke) Pauling. Brad attended Zion Lutheran Grade School and graduated from Paullina High School in 1956. After graduation, Brad worked in New Mexico and Houston, Texas, before he returned to Paullina in 1959. He worked at Pauling Grocery and drove a school bus route until he entered the U.S. Army in 1961. He was honorably discharged in December 1963 as a specialist fourth class from the 1st Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas.
Brad married Sharmalee Westadt on Nov. 19, 1965, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Sioux City. The couple raised their two sons, Daniel and Douglas, in Sioux City. Brad worked for Kelco Drug Store from Marshall, Minn., as a drug representative from 1964 to 1974. He worked for American Greeting Corp. from Cleveland, Ohio, from 1974 until his retirement in 1996. He was awarded the Outstanding Sales Representative for 1985 for his division from Omaha.
Upon their retirement, Brad and Sharmalee moved to Bella Vista, Ark., for 10-and-one-half years. He was a working volunteer for the Tanyard Creek Nature Trail Blazers for eight years and spent many hours helping the team maintain the miles of trails.
His enjoyment in life was working outside and maintaining a beautiful yard. He spent many hours working on their acreage upon their return to Sioux City in 2007. Even with failing health, Brad's tractor helped him continue to work outside on his yard and enjoy life.
Brad was a die-hard Iowa Hawkeye fan and spent many hours enjoying Saturday college football games. He enjoyed talking about the old times with family relatives and friends and especially high school sports. His children and grandchildren remained a special part of his life and brought many happy moments at family dinners and visits.
His connection remained strong with his brother, Del, and extended family including nieces and nephews. Prayers and phone calls helped him and his family deal with his health problems over the past six years.
Brad is survived by his wife, Sharmalee of Sioux City; two sons, Daniel and his wife, Anna of Sioux City, and Douglas and Maggie Girard of Parkville, Mo.; grandchildren, Ben Pauling, Matt Pauling and Isabella Girard; a brother, the Rev. Del Pauling of Chicago, Ill.; a sister-in-law, Helen Pauling of Hartley, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Ladonna Pauling of Paullina; a brother-in-law, Jack Mahnke of Sioux City; a sister-in-law, Sharon Rice (Carl) of Santa Ana, Calif.; a brother-in-law, Jim (Joan) of Laurel, Neb.; nephews, Dennis (Sharon) Pauling of Austin, Texas, Brian (Sibley) Pauling of Tulsa, Okla., Ryan Mahnke (Shannon) of Omaha, Steven (Lisa) Nash of Santa Ana, Calif., and Drew Westadt of Golden Valley, Minn.; and nieces, Sue Schulz (Mark) of Hartley, Deb Wallin of Seattle, Wash., Sheryl (Tony) Swanson of Lake Elsinor, Calif., Shawn Mueller of Lutherville, Md., Jamie (Chris) Zyzda of Sioux City; and Lori Mahnke of Denver, Colo.
Brad was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Linda Mahnke; and two brothers, Lynford and Kenneth Pauling.