Obituary of Paul Delaney

Mass of Christian Burial for Paul Delaney, 57, of Lake Park, will be held at 10:30 am, Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in rural Milford. Visitation will begin at 4 pm, March 20, 2018, with the family present from 5-7 pm at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford. A Parish Scripture Service will be at 7 pm Tuesday at the funeral home. Paul Allan Delaney was born to Terrance Joseph Delaney and Mary Colletta (Schierholt) Delaney on May 2, 1960 in Estherville, Iowa. He grew up on his family's farm in Lake Park and he continued to farm until his passing. He graduated from Milford High School and went on to graduate from Iowa State University in 1982 with a Bachelor's of Science in Farming Operations. Upon graduation, Paul returned home to help with the family farm and spent the next 34 years doing what he loved. Paul was united in marriage to Tammy Jane Hawn on December 1, 1984. Together they welcomed seven children into their family: Jessica Jane, Katherine Mary, Madison Matthew, Margaret Mary, Natalie Bernadette, Joseph Damien, and George Athanasius. Paul's greatest joy was spending time with his family and grandchildren. He could often be found enjoying a good movie with them or convincing them to travel to a small town none of them had heard of before. Paul was dedicated to farming, passionate about basketball, and loved sharing a story or telling a good joke. He always made time for anybody who needed it and believed in the power of giving. Paul was committed to serving those around him. He believed in helping others through donating blood and was also a bone marrow donor. He was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Paul has served as a 4-H Leader, the Excelsior Township Secretary, and as a youth basketball coach for many years. Paul passed away at his home on Friday, March 16, 2018 at fifty-seven years of age. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Tammy; seven children: Jessica of Sioux City, Katie of Marion, Madison (Abby) of Prairie City, Margaret of Ames, Natalie of Ames, Joe of Lake Park, and George of Sioux City; two grandchildren, Harrison Delaney, and Cecilia Delaney. He also leaves behind two brothers, John (Patty) Delaney of Lake Park and Jim Delaney of Albia; his sister, Ann Delaney of Mount Pleasant, sisters-in-law, Mary Beth Delaney of Ames and Sue Henderson of Albia as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Terry and Mary Delaney, and two brothers, Steve and Mike Delaney.