Paul A. Canaday, 57, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at the Columbus Community Hospital.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 13 at 5:00 PM at the Federated Church in Columbus with Rev. Jane Ellefson officiating. There will be a private family interment at a later date. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2:00 - 6:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Monday from 4:00 PM until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Federated Church or the Platte Valley Playhouse.

Paul was born October 24, 1957, in Bloomfield, Nebraska, to Julian and Kathleen (Sampson) Canaday. He was baptized and confirmed in the United Methodist Church in Bloomfield. Paul enjoyed farm life growing up with his brother David. He graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1976 and went on to graduate from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1980. Paul was a member of Ag Men Fraternity and was the Nebraska State FFA President in 1977. He partook in the Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education/Action Development) Program for two years. Upon his graduation from UNL, Paul moved to Columbus and was employed as an Agricultural Loan Officer for the last 30 years at First National Bank.

On June 21, 2003, Paul was united in marriage to Cindy (Schaefer) Olson in the Federated Church in Columbus. Paul and Cindy enjoyed traveling, and spending time with family and friends, especially his three grandchildren. Paul was an active member of the Federated Church where he had served in several different areas, but truly loved working the annual Christmas Dinner that the church sponsored each year. Paul was a charter member of the Columbus Morning Rotary Club, past member of Jaycees, and active in the Columbus Emergency Relief Program. He had a love for singing, acting, and making people smile. This love led him to his involvement in the Platte Valley Playhouse.

Paul is survived by:
Wife – Cindy Canaday of Columbus, NE
Children – Chris Olson of Lincoln, NE; Justine (special friend – Josh Hensely) Olson of Omaha, NE
Grandchildren – Ashton, Sylus, and Landon
Parents – Julian and Kathleen Canaday of Bloomfield, NE
Brother – David Canaday of Bloomfield, NE
Niece – Kristin Canaday of Lincoln, NE
Nephew – Jonathan Canaday of Minneapolis, MN
Mother-in-law - Gloria Schaefer of Columbus, NE
Brother-in-law - Greg (Kim) Schaefer of Columbus, NE
Brother-in-law - Randy Schaefer of Columbus, NE
Brother-in-law - Joe Schaefer of Columbus, NE
Sister-in-law - Sandy (Mark) Swope of Columbus, NE
Sister-in-law - Lisa (Joel) Long of Omaha, NE
Brother-in-law - Scott (Pamela) Schaefer of Columbus, NE
Numerous aunt, uncles, nieces, and nephews

Paul was preceded in death by:
Grandparents – Claude and Grace Canaday and Clarence and Lula Sampson
Uncle – Elwin Canaday
Father-in-law – Ken Schaefer