Paula D. McGrath

Paula McGrath, age 92, passed away at Peabody Manor in Appleton on Saturday afternoon, March 31, 2012. She was born in Ellendale, South Dakota on December 9, 1919, daughter of the late Rev. Paul and Pauline (Richmann) Kluender. Later, she moved to Melrose Park, Illinois where she attended St. Paul's Lutheran Grade School and Proviso East High School. Paula married Harry E. McGrath on December 28, 1946. He preceded her in death in April of 1982. The couple had a wonderful marriage, and were blessed with two sons, Paul and Steve.

Paula was a loving home maker, giving church worker and joyfully shared her time with community organizations. She was an active member of St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church (LCMS). There she devoted her time to choir, ladies aid, and Rotary. She also contributed many hours of time to South Suburban Hospital Service League and to the Crete Women's Club.

Her love of the arts filled her life with a true appreciation of music, theater, and painting. Paula became an accomplished painter in her later years . The detail, color and depth of her paintings will leave a lasting memory for her family and friends to enjoy. Her wit, kindness, and sense of humor will carry on forever.

She is survived by two sons: Paul E. McGrath of Lansing, Illinois and Stephen L. (Kris) McGrath of Sherwood; six grandchildren: Corey (Jared) Griesmer, Kevin McGrath, Jonathan McGrath, Andrew McGrath, Nicholas Chartier, and Shanna Chartier; two great-grandchildren: Aiden Chartier and Lillian Griesmer; two sisters: Mary Prokopy of Livonia, Michigan and Ruth Butcher of Barrington, Illinois; and a sister-in-law: Ann Heinecke of Louisville, Kentucky. Paula was preceded in death by her parents, a brothers Ralph Heinecke and Rev. Marcus (Ruth) Kluender, sisters Louise (Paul) Frillman and Lenore Kluender, and her step-mother Lydia Kirth Kluender.

Funeral services for Paula will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Wichmann Funeral Home in Menasha, with Rev. Tim Krick officiating. A private burial will take place at Arlington Cemetery in Elmhurst Illinois. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday morning (April 14) from 9:30 AM until the hour of the service. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wichmannfargo.com.

Wichmann Funeral Home
Tri County Chapel
3212 S. Oneida Street
Appleton, WI 54915
920-831-9905