Paula L. Hartley, 51, of Hiawatha, died Sunday evening, June 26, 2016, at her second home, Hiawatha Community Hospital.

She was born at Hays, Kansas, January 20, 1965, the daughter of Frank and Norma Buckminster Schuetz and was a lifelong resident of Hiawatha. Paula attended schools here, later graduating from Hiawatha High School with the class of 1983. After high school, she graduated from Platte Business College at St. Joseph, MO, with an associate’s degree in general business accounting. Paula’s working life included working at Citizens State Bank, Stan Boos Auto Sales, and Paul Bent, all of Hiawatha. She worked the past 14 years as a ward clerk at Hiawatha Community Hospital.

Things that were very important to Paula was spending time with her family. When she wasn’t with her family, she was working with her second family at the Hospital. Paula was also very professional, good at her job as ward clerk, taking care of everyone that should assistance, whether be patient, doctor, or nurse. Once you met Paula, you were immediate friends, a friendship that lasted a lifetime.

She married Roy Hartley at Hiawatha, August 21, 1999. They had several rental properties together along with her work at the hospital. He survives at home.

Also surviving are four daughters: Emily Banks of Topeka, Kayla Gibbs of Hiawatha, Stephanie Hartley of Falls City, Nebraska, Monique Swimm, also of Hiawatha; her parents Frank and Norma Schuetz of Hiawatha; a brother Alan Schuetz of Illinois; her grandmother Lena Buckminster of Falls City, Nebraska; and 8 grandchildren.

Paula was preceded in death by her grandpa Cecil Buckminster; grandparents Theodore & Lena Schuetz, an aunt Susie Elliot, uncles: Bill Schuetz, and Jimmy Schuetz.

A Celebration of Paula’s life is planned for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 30, at the Fisher Community Center in Hiawatha, with Pastor Rich Lehmkuhl officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha.

Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha after 10 a.m. until 4:30 Wednesday. The family will meet with friends from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Fisher Community Center.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Missy Newell Memorial Fund, which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7^th St., 66434.

A special message may be sent to www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com