Obituary of Paul Rehfuss

REHFUSS PAUL

W. Paul Rehfuss, age 89 of Yankton, SD passed away December 22, 2024.  Memorial Mass will be 10:30 am, Saturday, December 28, 2024, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. Tom Anderson officiating.  Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, SD.  Visitations will be 5-7 Pm, Friday, December 27, 2024, at St. Benedict Catholic Church and then one hour prior to the service at the church.  The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Onsite Crematory, Yankton, SD has been trusted with the service details.  Online condolences may be sent to: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.

To Livestream Paul’s service click this link: https://server.attend.live/static/event/319Lx. 

William Paul Rehfuss of Yankton, South Dakota passed away peacefully at home while reading the newspaper on December 22, 2024. He was 89 years old. Paul was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1935 to William and Madeline Rehfuss. He was raised there alongside his four siblings, Harold, Jean, Loretta and Jack. Paul attended and graduated from Olney High School. While in high school, Paul and his friends hitchhiked around the United States – a story he would recount many times over the years.

After graduating high school, Paul spent 2 years in the Army and sailed with the Merchant Marines. Through his time in the Marines, he had his first of many big adventures “sailing around the world” and his love for travel was born. Following his time in the Marines and encouraged by his brother-in-law, Jerry Hoffmann, Paul made the leap to the Midwest and enrolled in school at Yankton College. He graduated in 1961 with a degree in education. He then went on to get his Masters and Specialists degrees in Counseling from the University of South Dakota.

In 1962, Paul made what he routinely referred to as “the best decision of my life” and married Cathryn Anne Wermers at Sacred Heart Church in Yankton. They went on to have 4 children, numerous dogs and a lifetime of adventures together, mostly all on Mulberry Street where they were surrounded by loving friends and neighbors. Although firmly planted in SD, Paul never let go of his identity and love for Philadelphia, religiously cheering on the Eagles, the Phillies and the 76’ers any chance he had. Many trips were made to the east coast over the years to visit friends and family who still lived there. He also never lost his unmistakable east coast accent which was often and lovingly imitated by his children. Paul worked at Job Corps in Yankton for the Department of Labor for 30 years, retiring at age 66 with a vow to travel with his wife to a different country every year until he was unable to travel anymore. He kept that vow and some of their favorite trips were to Russia, Turkey, Italy and Ireland. Paul instilled a love for travel and adventure in his 4 children and 13 grandchildren, last year receiving a letter from his granddaughter Phoebe for his 88th birthday which summed up how we all felt, writing “You’ve done so many great things in your lifetime and it’s been one big adventure. I love how you’re so passionate about life and everything that it has given to you…You are always so excited for the next thing to come. You’re an inspiration to me.” An amazing storyteller, when you were with Paul the laughs and fun came easily. He loved a martini with Cathy at the end of the day, family dinners, especially lasagna, celebrations of any kind, chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, volunteering (which he did loads of over the years), trips to New York City, being with friends and family, but nothing made him happier than spending time with his beloved wife Cathy, “the greatest decision he ever made.” Paul is survived by his wife of 62 years, Cathryn, and their 4 children, Loretta (Tom) Christenson of Yankton, Bill (Beth) Rehfuss of St Anthony, MN, Ann (Dave) Fisher of Harrisburg, SD and Jane Veerman of Sioux Falls along with 13 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 4 grand dogs.