Paul DeVolder

Paul DeVolder, age 87, of Storm Lake, Iowa died February 24, 2012 at St. Vincent's Care Center in Bismarck, North Dakota. Paul was the son of Octave and Marie (Doyle) DeVolder. He and his twin brother, John, were born on September 16, 1924 in Pomeroy, Iowa. They attended grade school at St. Mary's Parochial School and graduated from Pomeroy High School in 1942. In September 1942, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Because of his background in Amateur Radio, learned from his father, Paul was sent to the University of Wisconsin for further training as a radioman after boot camp in Green Bay, Illinois. Upon graduation, Paul was assigned to the Destroyer USS Eagle 27, until the time of his discharge in December of 1945. In the summer of 1948, after two years of college, he took a summer job with Iowa Public Service, Co. in Storm Lake. He enjoyed the work and was offered a full time job in the Electric Meter Department. After a period of training, he was transferred to the Carroll District. Paul was recalled to active duty in 1951 during the Korean War and served in Korean waters on a mine sweeper, the USS Carmick DMS-33. On his return from active duty, he spent several years doing installation and maintenance of 2-way radios in the District Offices, Power Plants, and vehicles for Iowa Public Service. In 1962, Paul married Meryle Smith, who with her daughter, Jamie, became a family. He continued his education in Electrical and Electronics Engineering through Correspondence Schools and was Substation Superintendent of the Central District of Midwest Resources at the time of his retirement in 1986. He was a past Grand Knight of the Storm Lake Council and a past Chairman of the Siouxland Section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He volunteered with the BVRMC Hospice program for seven years. He is survived by his wife, Meryle; his daughter and son-in-law, Jamie and Mike McKenna; grandsons: Shawn and wife, Jerrica McKenna and Casey and wife, Heidi McKenna; and great grandsons: Mason and Brayden. Also surviving are a sister, Joan Miller; a brother, Dan DeVolder; numerous nieces and nephews and sisters-in-law: Lee Hoffman and Ferne Brimmer. He was preceded in death by his twin brother, John DeVolder; sister, Rosalie Veerhusen; and brothers-in-law: Melvin Miller and Darold Veerhusen.

Paul DeVolder

September 16, 1924 - February 24, 2012