Paula H. Windholz, Quinter, passed away on Thursday, March 4, 2010 at the Gove County Medical Center.


Paula was born on November 28, 1952 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin to George and Nathalie (Freeman) Piszczek. At the age of four, she moved with her parents to Sparta, Wisconsin, where she spent her childhood and teenage years. She graduated with the Sparta High School class of 1970. She then attended the University of Wisconsin at Steven's Point. In 1974, Paula followed her family to Norton, Kansas, as her father's military career had reassigned the family to that location. She went on to finish her education at Fort Hays State University, graduating with her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in 1975.


Paula began her teaching career with the Wheatland school district in Grainfield in 1976. It was there that she met her loving husband, Gary Windholz. The two were married on July 16, 1977 in Norton. They were blessed with a little over 32 years of marriage. The couple was blessed with the birth of a son, Kevin, in 1979. They first made their home in Grainfield and relocated to Quinter in 1990.


Paula's entire teacher career (1976-2007) was spent in the Wheatland school district. In 31 years at different times she taught second, third, fourth and fifth grades as well as Title I. Throughout her career she was assigned to both Gove and Grainfield Elementary Schools. She touched the lives of many children through the years, often keeping in close contact with her students for many years after she had them in the classroom. She was named to the Wheatland Wall of Fame earlier this year. Paula developed a sisterhood with many of her Wheatland co-workers that lasted a lifetime.

She was a member of the Gove County Medical Center Auxiliary, Red Hats, Jay Johnson Public Library board, Friends of the Library board, and Grainfield's American Legion Women's Auxiliary.

Paula also loved animals, having many special pets over the years. She was also an avid reader, and passed that skill along to the many students she taught over the years.

She is survived by her husband, Gary, of the home; a son, Kevin, and wife, Mindy, St. Louis, MO; two grandsons, Spencer and Aidan Windholz, St. Louis, MO; a sister, Sue Rippe, and husband, Cliff, Lenexa; a brother, Jerry Piszczek, and wife, Carol, Wichita; her loving in-laws, LeRoy and Katy Windholz, Quinter; a brother-in-law, Dave Windholz, and wife, Jonita, Hays; two aunts, Betty Possin, Fon du lac, WI and Nancy Piszczek, Atlanta, GA; five nephews, four nieces and many special friends and former students.

She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.

Visitation for Paula will be Tuesday, March 9, 2010 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter, KS.

Services will be held Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 10:00 AM in St. Ann's Catholic Church in Walker, KS. Interment is in the church cemetey.

Memorials are suggested to the Gove County Medical Center Auxiliary and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 S Main, Quinter, KS 67752.