Paul Joseph “Joe” Womachka, age 39, of Nice, formerly of Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was tragically taken on June 27, 2007 during the operation of his taxi cab business.
Joe was born in a military hospital in Frankfurt, Germany on Aug. 1, 1967. He was a graduate of Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1985, where he was involved in music and soccer. He attended both Kirkwood Community College and the University of Iowa, where he studied music and psychology.
He married Erica Rhomberg on June 28, 1988 in Iowa City, Iowa. They were later divorced. Joe and his family moved to California in July of 2004, where he continued his Glass Man Windshield repair business and also brought the Hey Taxi business to Lake County.
He coached soccer at Upper Lake High School for the 2005 – 2006 seasons. In the Spring of 2007, along with the high school girls soccer coach, began the Upper Lake Jr. High soccer program.
Joe was passionate about his children and helping them to fulfill their dreams. He took great joy in writing, nature, philosophy, the arts and sports. Joe will be missed by those whose lives he touched and his peaceful nature and ability to bring out the best in everyone, along with his love of equality, which made him rich with friends.
Joe is survived by his three sons, Quinn, Eden and Pere Womachka of Nice; parents, Paul and Amie (Baldwin) Womachka of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; brother, Brian (Melanie) Womachka of West Liberty, Iowa; sister, Janet Womachka of Albany, N.Y.; three nieces, Holly, Bridgette and Ella Womachka of West Liberty, Iowa; 16 aunts and uncles; three great aunts; one great uncle; a very large extended family and his former wife and business partner Erica Rhomberg Womachka.
Joe was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Joseph and Christine (Schmalfeldt) Womachka; maternal grandparents, Margaret “Marie” (Taylor) Baldwin, and Leeon H. and Florence (Martinson) Baldwin; four aunts and uncles and two first cousins.
“There is but one success – to be able to spend your life in your own way.” – Christopher Morley
Joe”s wishes were to be cremated and his remains to stay in California.
Family prefers contributions to the Joe Womachka Memorial Fund, to be established.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 6 at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 High St., Lakeport, reception to follow at the Lucerne Senior Center, Lucerne.
Memorial services will also be held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 12 at St. Pius X Catholic Church with Father Donald Klein officiating. Family may be greeted after the prayer Mass in the Parish Hall.
For further information call Chapel of the Lakes 263-0357 or 994-5611 or www.chapelofthelakes.com.
Please sign the guest book at www.record-bee.com. Click “Obituaries.”
(Published in the Record-Bee on Friday, July 6, 2007.)
