Donald M. Prather 1931-2012

PRATHER SNELSON HARMS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/28/2012 at 19:36:41

Sioux City Journal
19 December 2012

Donald M. Prather, 81, of Sioux City, passed away Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, at his home of complications from a fall.

Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Calvary Lutheran Church, with the Rev. James Travis officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military rites by the U.S. Marines. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present at 6 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Don was born Jan. 23, 1931, in Le Mars, Iowa, the son of John W. and Katie (Snelson) Prather. Don lived in Merrill, Iowa, and Sioux City, graduating from Leeds High School in Sioux City in 1949. Don served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean conflict from 1950 to 1953. He was proud to have served his country and be a Marine. Don was a decorated war veteran, receiving the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged with the rank of 1st sergeant.

Don married his high school sweetheart, Jo-Ann Harms, on Jan. 25, 1950, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Leeds.

Don worked at Sioux City Stockyards (Needham Packing Company) as a cattle buyer, until its closing. He worked at Big Sioux Terminal until his retirement.

Don was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church.

He enjoyed pheasant hunting and coaching. When he was younger he coached baseball for the Sioux City youth programs and youth basketball at Calvary Lutheran Church. Don was a fan of the New York Yankees, Iowa Hawkeyes and Kirk Hinrich of the Chicago Bulls. Don enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed going to Lake Okoboji on vacations with his wife, kids, in-laws and the Binneboses. He enjoyed working in his yard, making yard ornaments and sitting on his front porch, where his family and friends would stop by and visit. Don most enjoyed spending time with his grandkids.

Survivors include his daughters, Cathy Dailey and Kim (Bill) Kull, all of Sioux City; his son, John (Sylvia) Prather of Colorado; and eight grandchildren, Taylor (Marcy) Dailey of Des Moines, Ashley (nee Dailey) (Chad) Bloomfield of Utah, Catherine (nee Prather) (Shane) Kenne of Colorado, Jenna Prather of Colorado, Johnathon Prather of Colorado, Curtis Kull of Sioux City, Mick Prather of Colorado and Sarah Prather of Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Jo-Ann; his parents; his in-laws, Al and Vi Harms; brothers, Paul Sr., Merle and Dean; and sisters, Margie, Marian and Nancy.

Casket bearers will be Tim Dailey, Craig Martin, Chuck Hanson, Brad Binnebose, Ryan Prather and Clark Boddy. Honorary bearers will be Keith McCuddin, Bill Willsbatcher, Al Hutton and John Meier.

"Pa-Pa Don" will be truly missed by many. The family extends a special thank you to Hospice of Siouxland.