Paula Jo Konrad

Mass of Christian Burial for Paula Konrad, 76, of Melcher-Dallas, will be held Monday, June 19, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Melcher-Dallas. Family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.  A luncheon will be held at the church following the services for a time of fellowship.

Paula Jo (Luksetich) Konrad was born on June 17, 1946, in Pleasantville, Iowa to Rudolph "Rudy" and JoAnn (Vernon) Luksetich. She grew up in Melcher and graduated from Melcher-Dallas High School in 1964. She married Bill Konrad on October 9, 1965. To this union, they were blessed with three children: Phil, Billie, and Maria.

Paula worked at the VA in Knoxville as a ward secretary from 1964-1969. She then became a homemaker, raising her children in Melcher-Dallas. She was a caretaker at heart and cared for many members of her family.

Through the years, Paula was extremely active in volunteering for school events, as well as in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she taught religious education classes, assisted with various meals and events, served as an Officer on the Altar and Rosary and was also a lector. She assisted as a preschool director and teacher and spent many years volunteering at Birthright. If you needed assistance with pretty much anything, Paula was there to help.

Paula enjoyed listening to music, especially Elvis. She enjoyed being outside and tending to her flowers. She also enjoyed going for walks or riding her bike around town. She and Bill took many trips to sprint car races around the Midwest, occasionally going as far as Chico, California. On those trips they would stop in Las Vegas to see their friends. She didn’t necessarily like the races, but enjoyed getting away and as she put it, not having to cook. Later, she and Bill enjoyed rides on the golf cart. Paula’s sweet nature and friendly smile will be missed by many. She was such a kind person with a heart of gold.

Paula passed away on June 15th, two days before her birthday. She will be greatly missed by her husband of 58 years, Bill Konrad; her children: Phil Konrad, Billie (Jeff) Barr, and Maria (Ryan) Kimzey; grandchildren: Ross, Joanna, and Addyson; along with siblings: Marc Luksetich and Philip (Gaye) Luksetich; nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rudy and JoAnn.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Melcher-Dallas Fire Department or to Care Initiatives Hospice.