Paul Cota

Paul F. Cota, 93 of Mason City died Monday, September 26, 2005 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, September 30, 2005 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 North Adams with Rev. Jon Seda officiating. Inurnment will be in Elmwood ? St. Joseph Cemetery with graveside military rites conducted by the Mason City Veteran?s Memorial Association. Visitation will be from 5 ? 7 PM on Thursday at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Avenue, with a scriptural wake service at 6:30 PM. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa. Paul F. Cota was born May 20, 1912 the son of Frank and Mary (Hinkel) Cota in Mason City. He worked as a projectionist beginning in 1929 for the Park 70, Cecil, Palace, Strand and Cinema 5 Theaters and did so for sixty plus years until he was 89. Paul attended school in Mason City and graduated from Mason City High School in 1931. He was united in marriage to Mae Betty Kellum on October 17, 1932 in Elks Point, South Dakota. In 1944 Paul entered the United States Army during World War II in the 10th Armored Infantry Battalion serving in three campaigns. For his service Paul received two Purple Hearts and one Silver Star and was honorably discharged in 1945. Paul also worked for Kellum?s Interiors for 35 years. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, the American Legion, and the local business agent for the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. He also enjoyed golfing, fishing in Canada, reading, walking and raising his family. Paul is survived by his daughter, Joanne Austin of California; sons, Fred Cota and wife Nancy of Elizabethtown, Illinois, John Cota and wife Marcia of Sioux City; 13 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; brother, Louis F. Cota of Mason City; sister, Marie E. Chapdelaine of Mason City and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary Cota, wife, Mae Betty Cota, and one brother, Eugene Cota.

Visitation:
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue on September 29, 2005 (map/driving directions) 10:00 AM to 10:00 AM at 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue on September 29, 2005 (map/driving directions)

Service:
10:30 AM at on September 30, 2005 (map/driving directions)