Paul Allen Henze

Paul Allen Henze, 75, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Monday, April 28, 2025, at St. Luke’s Hospital. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids.

Paul was born on July 28, 1949, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Ernest and Verlyn (Andreessen) Henze. He graduated from Grundy Center High School in 1967 and from Hawkeye Technical Community College in 1969. Paul started his career as a radio operator at the Cedar Rapids Division of Communications for the Iowa Department of Public Safety. After talking on the phone daily for several years, Paul went to the Marion Driver License Department to meet his future wife, Linda Schoon. On May 5, 1973, he was united in marriage to Linda in Marion, Iowa. Nearly 17 years and two daughters later, the family moved to Storm Lake, IA where he was named the Supervisor of the Division of Communications Storm Lake office. Throughout his career, Paul managed Storm Lake, Cedar Falls, and Atlantic offices before retiring in 2017 after 48 years of service.

Paul was known for his sense of humor and found joy in fishing, playing computer games, sharing laughter with family and friends, card games, Old Dutch potato chips, and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Paul loved being a part of the fireworks crew in Storm Lake, or anything relating to fire, including having campfires. Paul found pride in coaching his daughter Lisa’s basketball and softball teams, as well as being president of the Storm Lake softball board. Paul loved grilling for family and friends. Over the last 10 years, he also took over making the family maple candies when his mother-in-law was unable. He especially loved pizza from Leonardo’s and time spent over coffee with friends.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 52 years, Linda; daughters Anne Henze (Justin Collum, Ava and Alexa) and Lisa Henze; sisters-in-law Pam Hackbarth (Bob Andrlik) and Sandi Kuhn (Jack); and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, Leland and Donna Schoon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to the American Heart Association.