Paula L. (Cameron, Wisconsin) Rederer

On January 29, 2022 after a brief stay at Sacred Heart Hospital, Paula Luwana Rederer was welcomed into heaven after a long and progressive battle with organ failure. She was born on July 23 1957 in Rice Lake, WI to parents Luwana Severson of Sand Creek and Paul Rederer of New Auburn, and was baptized at our Saviors Lutheran Church in Sand Creek and later confirmed at Chetek Lutheran church. 

As the oldest child of deaf/ mute parents, Paula learned sign language early and at age 3, would sign to her mother that her baby sister was hungry and crying. She was proficient in American Sign Language. 

Paula attended Chetek schools and graduated in 1975 where she was an honor student.  She was on the girls softball and volleyball teams and as the third tallest girl in her class, became skilled in sewing many of her own clothes. She took great delight in telling people that she still had the sewing machine she bought with her childhood savings while her sisters choice of a horse was long gone. 

In 1977 she was proud to be chosen as reigning Miss Chetek. She attended college at Mount Senario in Ladysmith, and was chosen homecoming queen in 1978. She also attended college in Stevens Point before moving back to Chetek with her young son Paul.  She was an enthusiastic and active Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader and was very well liked by her troops. Most of her working career was spent in secretarial and clerking positions. 

Paula loved working in her flower garden, attending vintage car shows, and sitting around a campfire with a cold one. She also enjoyed watching old movies, including Lawrence Welk and the Molly B Polka shows. Before hip and knee fractures, she enjoyed polka dancing, especially if she could spin her sister into uncontrollable laughter. 

She was a pushover for being talked into adopting stray cats, especially when it came to big ‘Bro’  Michael bringing them to her and she will be greatly missed by Sabrina, Tabitha, and Noah. 

For many years Paula lived in Cameron where she was blessed to have wonderful and caring neighbors who became her other family. Bernadette ‘Bernie’ Schmidt, Brad Blihovde, and Cal Briggs, you are thanked and loved for being her Canoe Villa family. 

Paula was preceded in death by her father Paul, grandparents Beatrice and Selmer Severson of Sand Creek, Blanche and Christian Rederer of New Auburn, and her beloved and only child Paul Richard Rederer of Chetek in 2016. 

She is survived by her mother Luwana Rederer, sister Brenda Rederer, Uncle Mike Severson and numerous cousins. Special people are ‘Big Bro’ Michael Clint, Chloe Caterer, Teresa Davis, Jeff Carlsten, Carla and Paul Alm, Barb Bonn, and many more not mentioned here. 

Her wish was to be cremated with no formal service. Please direct any cards, memories or memorials to Luwana Rederer at 626 Leonard Street, Chetek, WI 54728. 

The Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

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