Paul C. Korth RANDOLPH – Funeral service for Paul C. Korth, 93, Randolph, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Nov. 7, at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Randolph.

Officiating the service will be the Rev. Kevin Vogel, the Rev. David Korth and Deacon Doug Tunink.

Burial will take place at St. Frances Catholic Cemetery, rural Randolph.

Pallbearers will be Sarah Steffen, Travis Korth, Jared Korth, Bradly Korth, Adam Loftis, Ben Loftis, Chris Korth and Cameron Korth.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, also at the Catholic Church in Randolph, with a vigil service starting at 7 p.m.

Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Randolph is in charge of the arrangements. Paul died Oct. 31, 2024, at Faith Regional Health Services, Norfolk.

Paul was born April 20, 1931, in Randolph, to Peter and Ottilia (Kunz) Korth. He attended St. Frances Catholic School, Randolph, until the eighth grade, when his dad became ill and he took responsibility for the farm.

Paul was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Randolph; the Catholic Foresters, as well as the Cedar County Cattle Feeders.

In his early years, he played baseball and softball as a pitcher and shortstop. Although he said he was never an athlete, he was good at it. Bowling and card club were also entertainment for the hard working farmer.

Paul married the love of his life, Rogene Buchanan, June 2, 1952, in Randolph. They had five children. Together they built up the family farm and cattle business. Rogene became ill and Paul bravely and diligently raised the kids and continued nurturing the farm throughout her long illness with the help of his faith, family, values and friends. They were married 30 years before Rogene passed away in 1982.

Lightning struck again when Paul met Shirley Krei. The next love of his life became his bride April 23, 1983. Shirley’s love for pets softened his heart to allow the family dog to stay in the house. It was the beginning of an enhanced love for man’s best friend - Paul had many beloved dogs by his side through the years as he mowed hay, the lawn or simply watched TV. During these years, he expanded his order buying business, traveling to Montana, Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming, buying cattle for people across the Midwest, making many friends along the way. Shirley’s influence guided him to see that you can travel without buying cattle, so they vacationed in various places including Branson, Disney World, and Paul’s favorite, Alaska.

Paul’s strong work ethic and persistence in excellence took a new path at the age of 81, when he took up hand cornhusking to honor his brother, Harold, who had won awards in state and national competitions. During the 11 years he competed, Paul himself brought home many awards when he competed as a Golden Ager.

Paul was loved, respected and admired by a large community of friends and family. From his warm smile that welcomed old and new friends into his home, to his productivity and wise business judgment and talent at buying cattle that contributed to the growth of his business and inspired the love of farming in his family. He will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley; sister-in-law, Margaret Korth; children, Doug (Barb) Korth, Tim Korth, Tamera (Jim) Loftis, Craig (Amanda) Korth and Brian (Nancy) Korth; stepchildren, Kevin (Sheri) Krei, Terry (Linda) Krei and Deb (Jim) Raabe; 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; seven stepgrandchildren, nine stepgreat-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Paul was preceded in death by his first wife, Rogene; parents, Peter and Ottilia; sisters, Delores, Cleo Ann, Sister Mary Fortunate and Mrs. Rose Kavanaugh; brothers, Desmond, Harold Senior and Leonard; brother-in-law, Merle; sisters-in-law, Tessie and Lorraine; daughter-in-law, Linda Korth; and granddaughter, Emily Loftis.

Memorials may be made to the St. Frances Catholic Church Cemetery Fund.