Paul P. Stephany
June 27, 1927 — November 3, 2016
Paul Peter Stephany, son of Joseph and Mary Helen (Glawinski) Stephany, was born June 27, 1927 in Earling, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at the St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church in Panama, Iowa. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Panama where he enjoyed playing sports, especially basketball, and graduated in 1945 as the valedictorian of his class.
On August 27, 1945, Paul enlisted into the United States Marine Corps, where he served honorably during WWII until his discharge on August 23, 1946. He spent time in Iwo Jima and with occupational forces in Japan at the time of surrender. Paul then returned home to Shelby County where he began his career in the auto parts business with Storz Supply in Harlan for a few years, then later at E.M. Christensen.
On October 16, 1950, Paul again was called to serve his country during the Korean Conflict until his honorable discharge on November 5, 1951. Paul again returned to Harlan after active duty and returned to work in the parts department at E.M. Christensen Motors.
On August 29, 1953, Paul was united in marriage to Phyllis Petsche at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa. Three children were born to this union; Curt, Roxanne and Janeen. Paul went on to spend thirty-four years at E.M. Christensen Motors before going to work at Olesen Motors in Avoca, Iowa for the last thirteen years of his career.
Paul enjoyed hunting and traveling and in his younger years bowled quite often with what ended up being his future father-in-law, George Petsche. Throughout the years, you could find him at his grandchildren’s activities. Later on in life, he also liked a trip to the casino once in a while. He was a long time member of the Shelby County VFW Post No. 941 as well as the Harlan American Legion Helmer Reyelt Post No. 150. Paul was also a past member of the Harlan Volunteer Fire Department for many years and served on its board.
Paul died on November 3, 2016 at the Nebraska Heart Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska having attained the age of eighty-nine years, four months and seven days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: William, Norbert, Edward, Leo, Charles, John and Howard; his sisters: Dorothy Schechinger and Mary Costello and his son-in-law, John Linde.
He is survived by his wife Phyllis Stephany of Harlan; his children: Curt Stephany and his wife Sheri of Gretna, Nebraska; Roxanne Linde of Harlan and Janeen and her husband Steve Oberembt of Omaha, Nebraska; his grandchildren: Nathan Linde, Samantha Stephany, Jason Linde, Matthew Stephany, Sara (Oberembt) Workman, Joseph Stephany and Tyler Oberembt; great grandchildren: Elli Workman, Olivia Linde, Ryan Linde and Lucy Workman; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
On August 27, 1945, Paul enlisted into the United States Marine Corps, where he served honorably during WWII until his discharge on August 23, 1946. He spent time in Iwo Jima and with occupational forces in Japan at the time of surrender. Paul then returned home to Shelby County where he began his career in the auto parts business with Storz Supply in Harlan for a few years, then later at E.M. Christensen.
On October 16, 1950, Paul again was called to serve his country during the Korean Conflict until his honorable discharge on November 5, 1951. Paul again returned to Harlan after active duty and returned to work in the parts department at E.M. Christensen Motors.
On August 29, 1953, Paul was united in marriage to Phyllis Petsche at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa. Three children were born to this union; Curt, Roxanne and Janeen. Paul went on to spend thirty-four years at E.M. Christensen Motors before going to work at Olesen Motors in Avoca, Iowa for the last thirteen years of his career.
Paul enjoyed hunting and traveling and in his younger years bowled quite often with what ended up being his future father-in-law, George Petsche. Throughout the years, you could find him at his grandchildren’s activities. Later on in life, he also liked a trip to the casino once in a while. He was a long time member of the Shelby County VFW Post No. 941 as well as the Harlan American Legion Helmer Reyelt Post No. 150. Paul was also a past member of the Harlan Volunteer Fire Department for many years and served on its board.
Paul died on November 3, 2016 at the Nebraska Heart Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska having attained the age of eighty-nine years, four months and seven days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: William, Norbert, Edward, Leo, Charles, John and Howard; his sisters: Dorothy Schechinger and Mary Costello and his son-in-law, John Linde.
He is survived by his wife Phyllis Stephany of Harlan; his children: Curt Stephany and his wife Sheri of Gretna, Nebraska; Roxanne Linde of Harlan and Janeen and her husband Steve Oberembt of Omaha, Nebraska; his grandchildren: Nathan Linde, Samantha Stephany, Jason Linde, Matthew Stephany, Sara (Oberembt) Workman, Joseph Stephany and Tyler Oberembt; great grandchildren: Elli Workman, Olivia Linde, Ryan Linde and Lucy Workman; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
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