PAULA SHIMMEL
1961-2023
Paula Renee (McDonald) Shimmel was born April 25, 1961, in Enid, Oklahoma to Thomas McDonald and Bertie Ruth (Hood) Smith. She attended various schools as her family moved around the country and graduated from high school in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
On February 9, 1980, Paula was united in marriage to Marvin Shimmel in Gautier, Mississippi. The couple lived in Bloomberg, PA, Detroit, MI, and Baton Rouge, LA, before settling in Auburn, Nebraska. As they moved and grew in their marriage, they were blessed with four children: Chris, Nick, Peter, and Hannah.
Paula was always first a homemaker, but she had worked outside the home as well. She had worked as a pharmacy technician at Brad’s U-Save in Auburn, as a para- professional at the Auburn Public Schools, and both a nurse’s aide and EMT with the Nemaha County Hospital.
She and Marvin had also been involved as foster parents.
Paula was an active member of both New Life Church and the Optimists Club in Auburn. She enjoyed scrapbooking and shopping and was always willing to help others. Paula was very happy spending time with her grandkids, other family, and friends.
Dealing with health problems of an unknown origin for several years, Paula was able to remain at home but gradually reduced her activities outside the home. On Tuesday, November 14, 2023, she was rushed to the Nemaha County Hospital in Auburn where she passed away unexpectedly. Her parents, brother Mike, and half-brother Kevin preceded her in death.
Left behind on Earth to remember Paula’s loving ways are her husband Marvin; sons and daughters-in-law Chris and Amy Shimmel of Rock Port, MO, Nick and Michelle Shimmel of Nebraska City, Peter Shimmel of Omaha; daughter Hannah Shimmel of Omaha; grandchildren Arianna, Isaac, Josiah, Micah, and Keegan; sisters and brother- in-law Debbie Behnke of Seminole, FL, Sherry and Tom Weldon of Wynnewood, OK; brother and sister-in-law Jeff and Kelly Smith of Detroit, MI; half-brother Brandon McDonald; other relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, December 2, 11:00 a.m., at New Life Church in Auburn, officiated by Pastor David Kibben.
Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to SENCA to be used for families in need or Auburn Rescue Squad.
Services are entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.