Rev Paul Gene Bousfield

The Rev. Paul Gene Bousfield, 82, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, formerly of Sioux City, entered eternal life Wednesday, June 11, 2008.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2008 at Trimble United Methodist Church in Sioux City. Burial will be in Bluff View Cemetery, Vermillion, S.D. Visitation will be 10:30 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. Rev. Paul had requested those attending his funeral be asked to bring canned and boxed goods for the food pantry. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. A celebration of life service will be 1 p.m. Monday, June 16, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Fort Dodge.

Paul was born Jan. 8, 1926, in Parker, S.D., the third child of Clarence "Elmer" and Jessie Bousfield. He received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of South Dakota, a master of Theology from Iliff School of Theology and a nursing home administrator's license from DMACC.

He served God as a United Methodist pastor at churches in Gayville and Volin, S.D., Leadville, Breckenridge, Minturn, Redfield and Denver, Colo., Carson, Trimble of Sioux City, St. John's of Davenport and Winterset, Iowa, and at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He then served at Friendship Haven as administrative director and as executive director until his retirement in 1991. He served in retirement as visitation pastor for Trinity United Methodist Church of Fort Dodge.

He loved international travel, traveling and camping throughout the United States, gardening, woodworking and working on craft projects with his wife, Mary Ann. He was active with the Methodist Youth Ministry. He enjoyed helping others and above all, spending time with family members.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of nearly 59 years, Mary Ann; his three children, Linda "Lin" (Raymond "Skip") Phillips of Norwalk, Iowa, Deborah (Allen) Wiese of Indianola, Iowa, and David (Jane) Bousfield of Iowa City, Iowa; five grandchildren; a great-grandson; his sister, Ellen Strauss of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Clarence.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trimble United Methodist Church of Sioux City, Trinity United Methodist of Fort Dodge, Friendship Haven Care Trust Fund, Trinity Hospice of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Hospice or Alzheimer's Association.