Paul Robert Doering (78), of Indianola, Iowa, passed away, Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at Kavanaugh House in Des Moines, Iowa with his family present.

Paul was born August 29, 1947 in Willmar, MN. His parents, Herbert Doering and Thelma (Stearns) Doering raised two children, Paul and Eugene on a farm in Stewart, MN. He spent his early years living and working on the family farm in Stewart, Minnesota, graduating high school in 1965. He enrolled in Minneapolis Business College for two years before enlisting in the United States Air Force from 1967 to 1971. Three of his four years in the Air Force were spent in Europe with time divided between England and Germany. After discharge, he moved to Minneapolis and began his life career in finance.

On Feb. 17, 1972, Paul met a young woman, Naomi (Donnelson), in a chance encounter on the stairway. They struck up a conversation, went out for pizza, and began dating. They were married on August 12, 1972.

Paul and Naomi were blessed with two baby girls, Angela in 1978 and Arika in 1981. The majority of the family's life was spent in Plymouth MN. Every summer the family took a trip eventually getting the family to all 50 states, 8 Canadian provinces, plus the Yukon Territory. They also took a trip to Holland and England.

In 1997, Paul moved to Iowa to continue his career. The family followed the next year. In 2002, they moved to Indianola, IA. Paul retired in 2012 as CFO of Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa.

Paul was a friend and helper to many. He loved being outside in his yard, always finding something to do. This brought him peace and joy. He also loved washing and detailing his car and would offer to do this for others. He was talented in his woodworking skills, which were useful to finish off the basement and brought many ideas to fruition. Church participation was very important over the years. He was a member of choir, held leadership roles and participated in men's Bible study. His retirement career involved setting up The Helping Hand accounting and bookkeeping system. A highlight for him was taking a hot air balloon ride, which was a special reward for being part of a hot-air balloon crew. Watching the balloons take off was a very special annual family event spent with Naomi’s extended family and friends.

One of Paul's greatest joys was spending time with his four grandchildren who spent most of their summers in Indianola at grandpa and grandma’s house. Summer trips and vacations were a high point with the entire family, even taking everyone to Holland and Paris, the Spring of 2024. Paul and Naomi continued to travel the world throughout their life including a trip to visit the penguins on the ice-covered continent of Antarctica. Paul’s final trip was in November of 2025, accompanied by Arika to visit the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial and some of our nation’s greatest monuments in Washington, D.C. with the Veteran’s Honor’s Flight program.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Thelma, and his brother, Eugene.

Paul Doering is survived by his wife, Naomi; daughters, Angela Doering (m. Jason Bufkin), Arika (Doering) Retzlaff; (m. Adam Reztlaff), and four teenager grandchildren, Elena Rose Bufkin, James William Bufkin and Matthew Robert Bufkin, and Mackenzie JoAnne Retzlaff.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Indianola with visitation to be held prior to services from 9:30 am - 11:00 am. Inurnment of cremains will be in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Paul R. Doering may be mailed to Redeemer Lutheran Church at 1410 West Boston Ave., Indianola, IA, 50125.