PRUSHA, Fred J. Sr. (1878-1965)

PRUSHA

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes
Date: 11/9/2018 at 20:29:10

The Belle Plaine Union
Jan. 27, 1965

SERVICES HELD
JAN. 23 FOR
FRED PRUSHA SR.

CHELSEA--Fred J. Prusha, 87, died on Jan. 20 at 1:45 a.m. at Mercy hospital in Marshalltown, of old age and complications. He had been ill for five months.

Mr. Prusha was born on Dec. 27, 1878, on a farm south of Chelsea, the son of John and Barbara Prusha. On April 16, 1912, he was married to Fannie Stanek at St. Joseph's Catholic church in Chelsea.

Mr. Prusha was one of Chelsea's senior citizens. He received his education in Chelsea and at the age of 21 went to South Dakota for 17 months where he homesteaded. At that time he came back to Chelsea, trading his homestead for one-half interest in a dance hall, selling this in 1914 to the Z.C.B.J. lodge. He and William Johnston built and owned the electric light plants. He also built two cisterns for water supply to fight fires. Along with two other men, he purchased the mill in Chelsea and in connection with the mill made cement blocks and vaults. He sold out the block business and mill and kept the vault business which he operated for 26-1/2 years.

He also was in partnership in the heavy hardware store business. He built a motion picture theatre which now houses the Ryan hardware. For ten years he was a flagman on the main crossing for the North Western railroad and at one time owned the farm now belonging to Harold Cobet.

At one time he served as town councilman and was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church, Chelsea.

Surviving besides his wife are one son, Fred, Jr.; three grandchildren, Kathy, Richard and Teresa; and two brothers, Frank, Tama, and Joseph, Chelsea.

He was preceded inn death by two sisters and one brother.

Rosary was recited on Friday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Hrabak's funeral home, Chelsea. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 9 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic church in Chelsea. Rev. Val J. Hlubek officiated. Pallbearers were Eldon Stanek, William Stanek, Wesley Prusha, Allan Prusha, Virgil Novotny, and Charles Petrazalek. In charge of masses were Mrs. Wesley Prusha and Mrs. Leona Kenner. The church choir provided the music.

Interment was held at the Chelsea Catholic cemetery.