Paul Felix Jungers was born in Hospers, Iowa, on July 5, 1941, to Jerome Dominic and Margaret (Niichel) Jungers. He passed away on July 5, 2024, at Franciscan Healthcare in West Point, Nebraska.
In January 1946, Paul moved with his parents and sister, Johanna, to his grandfather Felix Jungers’ farm after his dad had returned home from World War II in November 1945. It was then that he became a farmer by milking eight cows by hand in the morning before and after school. The farm had cows, pigs and chickens, along with growing alfalfa, oats, flax, corn and beans. When he was in fifth grade, he went into the fields to disc, plow and harrow to get the ground ready for his dad to plant. Summer days were spent cultivating and walking beans. Much time was spent mowing, raking and baling hay while stacking bales and balancing to stand on a moving flatbed trailer.
Paul attended St. Anthony Catholic School in Hospers for grades 1-8. He then attended Hospers Public High School and was in the first class to graduate from Floyd Valley High School in 1959, after the merger with Alton, Newkirk and Hospers in 1958.
Paul then attended Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa, to earn a 2 year teaching certificate to begin teaching in 1960 at age 19. He continued his education and graduated from Wayne State College with a bachelor’s degree in education and later earned a master’s degree in education from Wayne State College.
Paul taught rural schools in Dakota, Dixon, Thurston and Burt Counties in Nebraska, and the last 19 years of his 43-year teaching career in Oakland, Nebraska, taught math, science and social studies to 6th graders. After retiring from teaching in 2003, Paul became a substitute teacher for the Lyons and Oakland Schools until COVID-19.
Paul served as president of the Thurston County Teachers Association, the Burt County Education Association, and then the Oakland-Craig Education Association. He served on the negotiation team for several years and was a chief negotiator for the Oakland-Craig teachers. He was a member of the Nebraska State Education Association and the National Education Association. He served two 3-year terms as a Communications Commissioner to represent teachers from seven counties in Northeast Nebraska. He served as the State Board of Education contact person for teachers in 14 counties in District 3 in Northeast Nebraska. For several years, he represented teachers at delegate assemblies to vote on resolutions to present to the Nebraska unicameral legislature. In 1987, he was invited to have lunch with Governor Kay Orr at the Governor’s Mansion to discuss educational issues. He was a member and officer of the Northeast Nebraska Phi Delta Kappa. For 18 years, he coordinated the Gifted Program at Oakland-Craig School and coached teams to participate in the Future Problem Solving State Competition.
For several years, Paul organized the Burt County Rural Track Meet. Since 1968, he was a Burt County Spelling Contest judge until COVID-19. He taught religion classes for several years at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He was a Knights of Columbus member.
Paul had two sons, Chadwick Jon and Daron Lee. While his boys were attending school, he was an Oakland-Craig Sports Booster. He enjoyed camping, fishing and bowling with his sons. He enjoyed spending time at Chad and Stacy’s cabin on Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota and golfing with Daron.
For several years, Paul hosted a Christmas Open House and had over 100 nativity sets and 14 decorated trees on display with lots of good food to eat and margaritas to drink.
He was preceded in death by his son, Daron, in 2013; dad, Jerome, in 2009; mother, Margaret, in 2012; brother, Tom, in 2022; sister, Betty, in 2004; nephew, Gregory Koob, in 1966 and great niece, Isabelle Koob, in 2011.
He is survived by his son, Chadwick (Stacy) Jungers of Lake Mille Lacs; grandson, Cody Jungers and Alexa of Cambridge, MN; great granddaughter, Amelia Marie Jungers; sister, Johanna Koob of Sioux City, IA; brothers: Fred (Elaine) of Sheldon, IA; Terry (Carol) of Hospers and Mark (Sheila) of Sioux City; sister-in-law, Karin Jungers of MN and several nieces and nephews.
It’s been a great ride through the years. So many memories, celebrations, laughter, sorrows, good and bad times.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Saturday, July 13, 2024, 10:30 am, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lyons.
VISITATION: Friday, 5-7 pm, PRAYER SERVICE at 7 pm all at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
BURIAL: St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery, Hospers, Iowa
MEMORIALS: To the family to be designated
