On Tuesday, December 21, 2022, Paula "Pure Heart" Ruth Boehlje, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away at the age of 81.

Paula was born on September 5, 1941, in Charles City, Iowa, to Paul and Ruth Ervin. She graduated from Charles City High School and then received her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from the University of Iowa. While there, she met and married Boyd Wayne Boehlje on August 18, 1963. They raised two children-daughter, Jill and son, Chad. Paula enjoyed working as a nurse and nurse manager at care facilities in Oskaloosa, at the Pella Regional Health Center, and at the Veterans Administration in Knoxville.

Paula had a passion for singing and was blessed with an incredible soprano voice. She sang with the Old Gold Singers at the University of Iowa and continued singing once she graduated by joining The Sweet Adelines, a competitive barbershop quartet for women, where she and her quartet members placed 11th internationally.  Paula also was a constant member of the choir at the 1st Baptist Church of Pella.  Paula loved to travel and once she retired from nursing, she and Boyd were fortunate to travel around the world, with multiple safari trips to see her beloved African animals. Her garden and pond too were much adored and constant sources of joy and pleasure. Above all, Paula was known for her kindness, readiness to enjoy the moment, and open heart.

Paula was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Ruth Ervin.  She is survived by her husband Boyd, her daughter Jill (Kip) Porter and granddaughter Samie Porter, son Chad (Valerie) Boehlje, sister Laura (Garl) McLaughlin, brother David (Edith) Ervin, and brother Bruce Ervin. A celebration of life will be held sometime this spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Can Play or the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation.

Can Play
6500 Grand Ave, West Des Moines IA 50266
Web: https://can-play.org/