C. Floyd Pauley

Charles Floyd Pauley passed away peacefully at Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan, Kansas on April 13, 2025. Floyd was born on March 15, 1936 in Herington, Kansas to Charles Leroy Pauley and Pauline Lucille (Buckman) Pauley.

Floyd attended school in Herington and graduated in 1954. Immediately after graduation, Floyd started working for Rock Island Railroad where he started out as a brakeman and then promoted to Conductor in 1960. He worked for three railroads until 1998 when he retired after 43 and a half years. He worked for Rock Island Railroad, Southern Pacific and finally in 1995 he joined Union Pacific.

In 1955, he joined the United States Army and went to Camp Chaffee in Arkansas for 8 weeks to complete basic training and an additional 8 weeks for more training. From Camp Chaffee, he was then stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma where was got a job working in personnel as a clerk typist. After three months in Fort Sill, he volunteered to go to Germany in 1956 where he was stationed in Frankfurt and was an Officer’s Clerk in the IG Building.

On June 2 of 1957, while in Germany, he met the love of his life Gisela Brattig at the Oberursel swimming pool. He thought she was the most beautiful girl he ever saw. It was LOVE at first sight. He proposed and she said yes. He went to Varel a short time later to meet Gisela’s parents. He did not speak much German but they got along greatly but did not like that Gisela would be going to America. Floyd and Gisela got married on November 6, 1957 in Frankfurt and rented an apartment for one month before they left for the United States. Floyd had to pay for Gisela’s flight since he was only a SP3 and she had to go on her first airplane by herself since they had to fly separately. Gisela stayed with Floyd’s boss’ grandparents in Queens, New York for a week before he was discharged from the military. Floyd was discharged from his service on December 14, 1957 in Chicago where Gisela flew to meet him and they boarded the same flight and flew to Kansas City. From there they boarded a train to Herington and arrived in Herington at around midnight. Needless to say, Gisela felt shocked over how deserted it was when they arrived.

Floyd than returned to work with the railroad on January 1, 1958. Where Gisela had a lot to adjust to since Floyd was gone a lot working for the railroad. Gisela adapted and was able to raise their beautiful and thriving family.

In 1970, Floyd and Gisela took the children to Germany. The first time Gisela’s dad was able to meet them. Her mother was able to come to the United States when Bruce was born, and later when her Dad passed in 1972, her mother was able to visit two more times.

Floyd is preceded in death by his parents and in-laws.

Floyd is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Gisela and his children; Michael (Vickie) Pauley, Bruce (Kathy) Pauley, Angela (Neal) Barten. He is also survived by his 9 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life for Floyd will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 10:30 am in the Meadowlark Hills Chapel located at 2121 Meadowlark Rd, Manhattan KS.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Good Shepherd Hospice House Manhattan KS, Senior Center, 304 S 4th Street, Manhattan KS or Meadowlark Hills Memory Care.