Paulene Mae Meyer, 88

Paulene Mae Meyer, 88, of Allison and formerly of Dumont, IA passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the Rehabilitation Center of Allison under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice.  Woodley Funeral Home of Dumont is caring for Paulene and her family

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to Noon on Thursday, May 16, 2024, with the funeral service starting at Noon at Woodley Funeral Home in Dumont.  Pastor Mary Roozeboom from First Reformed Church in Bristow will be officiating.  Paulene will be laid to rest following the service with an immediate family graveside service at the Dumont Cemetery.

Paulene was born the youngest of seven children to Jerry and Ella (Ooster) Mennenga on September 15, 1935, at their rural home near Shell Rock, IA.  She graduated from Shell Rock High School.  On October 14, 1956, Paulene was united in marriage to Ernest “Ernie” Meyer and to their union, three children were born.  The couple farmed outside of Dumont until Ernie’s passing in 2009; Paulene then moved to Allison.

Paulene loved working alongside her husband on the farm and was proud to be a farm wife.  She enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, raising sheep, bird watching and nature walks. Paulene also liked decorating for the holidays and clerking for her brother, Bud Mennenga’s auctions. 

She was very active in her community and volunteered at her church, the Kesley Presbyterian Church, for women’s bible groups, bible school and Sunday school.  Paulene attended many church ice cream socials and helped serve during Bristow’s spring breakfast.  She also volunteered for the school PTA and as a school officer when her children were growing up.  She was passionate about Relay for Life and volunteering for that and was a 4-H fair judge annually at the Butler County Fair. 

She was a member of the Dumont American Legion Auxiliary, Kesley Presbyterian Church, First Reformed Church in Bristow and the Dumont Garden Club.  

Her family was extremely important to her and she loved attending her grandchildren’s sporting events; especially baseball and basketball.  She was also an avid ISU fan.  Paulene will be remembered as a very devoted person to her family, friends and church.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Alan (DeeAnn) Meyer of Dumont, Susan (Bill) Abbott of Ames and Karen (Jason) Reiher of Allison; grandchildren: Brett (Allie) Meyer, Whitney Meyer, Jonathan Stolfus and Brandon Reiher; great-grandchildren: Greyson, Harlow and Banks; sister, Marie Heeren; sisters-in-law: Darlys Mennenga, Marlene Mennenga and Arlene Steinmeyer; brother-in-law, Harold (Twilla) Meyer and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest; grandson, James Stolfus; parents Jerry and Ella Mennenga; siblings: Elizabeth Bales, Richard Mennenga, Jean Folkerts, Hinderene Van Raden, Henry “Bud” Mennenga and numerous in-laws and extended family members.