Paula Sue (Ludwig) Hamlin

Paula Sue (Ludwig) Hamlin, 68, of Hillsboro passed away on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at her home.

On April 7, 1957, Patricia A. Petrie gave birth to this force of nature in Des Moines, Iowa.  William F. Ludwig, Jr., soon thereafter became her father.  From almost the beginning of her life, Paula was an avid outdoor enthusiast.  She was mostly at home in the forest, navigating creeks and hollows.  She was the queen of morel mushroom hunting.  If she came to your potluck, you knew she’d bring a “mess of shrooms” much to everyone’s delight.  She enjoyed fishing, camping, swimming, big bonfires and creating beautiful works of natural beauty in her personal space with flowers and plants.  The hummingbirds loved her yard.  She often reminisced about a canoe trip with her children and grandchildren at Current River, Missouri.  Paula would have thrived living off the grid and dreamed of living in a log cabin in the forest.  She worked and played hard.  She mowed lawns and did odd jobs for local elderly residents of Hillsboro.  She detasseled corn for many years and worked several years for Hawkeye Steel in Houghton and later Heatilator in Mount Pleasant for 18 years.

Family was very important to Paula.  She remained close to her parents and their extended families throughout their lives.  She desperately missed the larger family gatherings so common during the time they were still living.  Paula was a very independent woman.  She lived as life paled to none and lived each day to the fullest and didn’t look back.  She cherished every sunrise, sunset and full moon she witnessed. Often, she photographed those that took her breath away.  One with nature is a phrase that is synonymous with Paula’s personality.  She’ll be smiling from beyond when she sees you enjoying them.

Paula’s children remained in Iowa, making it possible for many memories to be made.  She is survived by her children which were the love of her life, Jaime W. (Mallery) Ludwig, Ricky D. Counts, Jr., both of Hillsboro, Brishen W.D. Counts, of Kalona and Bobbie Jo (Patrick) Fox of Mount Pleasant.  She was blessed with 14 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren, her sisters, Debra Ludwig of Ainsworth and Tammy Pichardo, of Lone Tree and her brother, Gregory Ludwig of Grundy Center, along with many nieces and nephews. Paula was thankful for the time she had with each of them.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one grandchild.

A private family service will be held and burial will be in the Hillsboro Cemetery.  Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant. 

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