Obituary of Paul Gordon Unterbrink

    Paul Gordon Unterbrink, son of Amos Henry and Hildegard Anna (Wyant) Unterbrink, was born in Lima, Ohio on December 23, 1944. He received his education in Glandorf, Ohio, graduating from Glandorf High School with the class of 1961. In 1964, he began a long career with Northwest Airlines; retiring 41 years later in 2005.

    On January 31, 1970, Paul was united in marriage to Kathleen Brugman at St. Louis Catholic Church in Royal, Iowa. They lived in Billings, Montana and Phoenix, Arizona before choosing Primghar, Iowa as their retirement location. Over the years, their family had grown to include two sons: Darin and Kevin. 

    Paul was an avid gardener and liked planting and harvesting their own food. What produce they didn’t use themselves was oftentimes shared with neighbors or friends. He also found canning or freezing what he had grown to be quite rewarding, especially come December. He enjoyed working with his hands, creating useful kitchen utensils from a block of wood or crafting leather projects. He also liked to travel and see new places, but counted the times spent with family and good friends to be the best. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hartley, IA, the I.A.M. Union District 143 and I.A.M. Local 2559 in Phoenix, AZ.

    On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Paul passed away at his home in Primghar, having reached the age of 79 years.

    Preceding him in death were his parents, Amos and Hildegard Unterbrink; and sisters: Joyce Schroeder and Anna Unterbrink.

    Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 54 years, Kathi Unterbrink of Primghar, IA; sons: Darin (Angela) Unterbrink of Pennsylvania, and Kevin (Charlotte) Unterbrink of Virginia; nine grandchildren: Gordon, Guinevere, Montana, Caleb, Jax, Cody, Avery, Ainsley, and Abigail; one great-granddaughter, Anastasia; one sister, Joan Utendorf; three brothers: Ken Unterbrink, Leon Unterbrink, and Larry Unterbrink; other relatives and friends.

In lieu of floral gifts, memorials may be directed to:

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Avera Hospice ~ Rock Rapids Branch

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church ~ Hartley, IA