On Sunday morning November 3, 2024, Paul James Sernett passed away from natural causes at the age of 90. He was a resident of the Marian Home and Village (the Marian) in Fort Dodge, IA.

Paul was born on April 6, 1934 in Rolfe, IA. The son of Jim and Alice (Condon) Sernett, Paul joined his brothers Gene and Ken at the Sernett home in Rolfe where the family later welcomed Paul's sister, Eileen and where they lived until 1939. The family moved to Fonda, IA where Paul's sister, Mary Beth was born and where Paul graduated from Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC) high school in 1952. He went on to attend Loras College in Dubuque, IA where he graduated with honors with a degree in education in 1956.

As the U.S. continued its post-armistice role in connection with the Korean War, Paul entered the Army and served overseas before returning to northwest Iowa and meeting the love of his life, Carol Kuker. On October 7, 1961, Paul and Carol exchanged nuptials at Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church in Pocahontas, IA. They began their young lives together on Sadie Street in Laurens, IA where Paul joined the team at M&JR Hakes (Hakes) on the way to a career that spanned 39 years. He started by driving a straight truck collecting eggs and milk from local farmers then moved up to being a buyer for Hakes as the operation expanded, and he eventually became their Director of Transportation. Paul really enjoyed his work at Laurens' largest employer over the years working closely with many fine people, including his father, brothers, brother-in-law, and members of the Hakes family.

Paul quickly realized that if he was going to keep up with his older brothers, he and Carol would have to get focused on family time and they welcomed their first three children to their home in Laurens beginning with Mark, Dan, and Angie. Jeff, Lorena, and Scott joined soon thereafter and the family rhythm was in full swing. Paul lived an enduring life of loving example for his children through his natural tendency toward service, fairness, loyalty, and in his faith in the presence of the Holy Trinity at the heart of his Catholic life. He delighted in the growth of his family and achieved long-term balance amongst his family, career, and community priorities. With 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, Paul seized the opportunity to maintain connection with each of them through his unwavering commitment to sending birthday messages, proactive phone call outreach, attending countless ball games and other school activities, and planning annual family reunion celebrations over the years. He was simply great at staying connected with the people he loved.

Paul also enjoyed being involved with organizations whose missions included building community. He served for many years in support of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Laurens, the Knights of Columbus (the Knights), the U.S. Veterans Administration, the American Heritage Singers and Musicians (AHSM), the Laurens-Marathon School Board, and the Florence, AZ school district, to name a few. In each of the roles he filled, whether giving fatherly advice, supporting vocations to the Catholic priesthood, reading to the congregation at Mass or the young children at school, leading the Knights as a member of its Fourth Degree, or standing in front of the crowd directing the AHSM voices, Paul simply had a knack for being in the middle of the important things and never missed a chance to do his part.

In addition to being an involved husband and father, Paul enjoyed many and varied personal interests over the years including hunting and fishing, farming with the Kukers, car racing, golfing, various sports (esp. Notre Dame football games, Northern Iowa, Iowa State, and Iowa) and, of course, polka dancing…he and Carol could sure turn heads on the dance floor when the lights dimmed and the polka music began! Yet, after retiring from Hakes and joining the other Sernett snowbirds in Florence, there was little that gave him more personal satisfaction than traveling with Carol across the country enroute to spend time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, no matter which state they called home.

When it was time in 2018 for Paul and Carol to exit their snowbird lifestyle, Paul confidently announced their return to a year-round residence in Iowa, this time, ultimately, with the benefit of the caring support of the people at the Marian. In his final years at the Marian, Paul found great comfort in the care he and Carol received and in his access to the daily routines that afforded him the chance to remain so very close to his family, friends, and his Catholic faith.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Alice Sernett, brother, Gene Sernett, sisters Eileen Imming and Mary Beth Murray, sister-in-law, Alice Sernett, brothers-in-law Mel Imming and Dale Murray, cousin Leonard (Lorena) Sernett, nephews Steven and Michael Imming, and numerous other aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Sernett; his children, Mark (Kathy) Sernett, Dan (Stephanie) Sernett, Angie (Mike) Kloenne, Jeff (Suzy) Sernett, Lorena (Pedro) Sernett, and Scott (Meg) Sernett; brother Ken (Ann) Sernett as well as his 13 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers for remembrance of Paul's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to The Marian Home and Village, Fort Dodge, IA.