Prochaska, Donald J. 1938 – 2001

PROCHASKA, HUBKA, ERICKSON, PECINOVSKY

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:27

Source: Times Plain Dealer; Jan. 10, 2001 Page 1
from Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee
Transcribed by Joy Moore

Services held for civic leader, businessman
Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 8, for Cresco civic leader and businessman D. J. Prochaska.
He died Thursday, Jan. 4, at the hospital of Regional Health Services of Howard County of natural causes.
Services were held Monday noon at St. Joseph's Worship Center in Cresco with burial in Oak Lawn Cemetery with military honors. The Rev. Henry W. Charipar officiated. Funeral arrangements were by Lindstrom Funeral Home of Cresco.
For more than 35 years, D. J. Prochaska, 62, was in partnership with his father-in-law, Lyle Erickson, in Erickson-Prochaska Inc., a prominent Cresco real estate, appraisal and auction business.
In addition to being associated with numerous real estate, auction and appraisal organizations, D. J. was heavily involved in numerous Cresco and area enterprises. He was a past president of the Cresco Jaycees and was a long-time member of the Cresco Industrial Development Corp, serving a term as president of that organization. He was also a member of the Cresco American Legion and served on the St. Joseph's Parish Council.
A strong promoter of Cresco and the area, he served for many years on the city's planning and zoning board, was chairman of the Howard County Board of Review, and was an early advocate and promoter of snowmobiling and the Driftrunners Snowmobile Club. He and his family supported numerous Cresco and area activities and events, including the purchase and renovation of the Cresco Opera House in 1979, Cresco Ag Fest, Cresco Chamber of Commerce activities, and endorsed and promoted the expansion and renovation of the Cresco hospital.
He was also known as an excellent woodworker and frequently donated his talents.
Born Nov. 18, 1938 in Cresco, he was a native of the Protivin area, the son of Clarence and Helen (Hubka) Prochaska. He was a 1957 graduate of Rudolphinium High School in Protivin.
Upon graduation, he worked for Clet Koshatka Implement dealership in Protivin until December 1961 when he entered the U. S. Army. He served two years. After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, he entered the real estate and auction business that comprised Erickson-Prochaska. Also part of the business were his wife, Barbara, and Lyle's wife, Irene. He and Barbara were married on March 3, 1962.
The firm grew to be one of the most influential auction and real estate companies in Northeast Iowa.
D. J. was a past president of the Northeast Iowa Board of Realtors, was regional vice president of Realtors Land Institute, and was a member of national associations, including National Association of Realtors, National Association of Auctioneers and the American Soci-ety of Farm Managers Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA).
D. J. was frequently in demand as a real estate appraiser and served throughout Northeast Iowa and Southeast Minnesota in that capacity.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara. a son Gregory of Louisburg, KS, and a daughter, Lynn of Minneapolis; one grandson; and a sister, Marlene Pecinovsky of Protivin.

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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