Encyclopedia Dubuque
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VAASSEN, Paul A.
VAASSEN, Paul A. (Sinsinawa, WI, Aug. 22, 1934--Dubuque, IA, May 9, 2024) The son of John J. and Mary (Busch) Vaassen, Paul graduated from LORAS ACADEMY in 1952 and LORAS COLLEGE in 1957. he honorably served his country in the Iowa Army National Guard for nine years. He married Mary Ann, at St. Joseph’s Prairie Catholic Church on June 7, 1958, and together they had four children: Daniel, James, Paula, and Patrick.
Paul taught high school at Sacred Heart in Waterloo for two years, DeSales Central Catholic in Ossian for three years, and Western Dubuque High School for 15 years. He was a natural leader and coached basketball, baseball, and women’s softball. He umpired for more than 20 years and was honorably inducted into the DUBUQUE COUNTY BASEBALL HALL OF FAME as an umpire.
He was a member of St. Joseph’s Prairie Catholic Church, then Holy Family Catholic Church, New Melleray, where he was a lector, distributor, on the parish council, and a choir member. He was also a member of the KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS.
Paul was a long time farmer south of Dubuque and an active member of DUBUQUE COUNTY FARM BUREAU. He was one of the founders of the Dubuqueland Angus Association, a member of the Iowa Angus Association, and the American Angus Association. Paul served as the treasurer of the National Junior Angus Shows that were held in Des Moines, Iowa. He served as a 4-H leader for the Table Mound Junior Ranchers and was inducted into both the Dubuque County and Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.
Paul managed the grounds for the DUBUQUE COUNTY FAIR for 14 years and was an Iowa State Fair Board Member for 34 years. He was awarded the Iowa State Fair Hall of Fame Award in 2018. He had immense pride and joy being part of the Iowa State Fair and the county fairs he represented in his district that he visited every summer.
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Source:
Obituaries, Dubuque Today