Robert Thomas "Pete" PREHM

PREHM, MUSK, ROUNDS, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:49

Robert “Pete” Prehm
22 August 1891 --- 17 October 1956

Illness Fatal To Pete Prehm
Popular And Much Loved School Custodian Dies In Rochester Hospital As Students Plan Loan And Scholarship Fund In His Honor

Funeral services for Robert Thomas "Pete" Prehm were held Saturday, October 20, at 2 p. m. in the auditorium of the Eagle Grove high school. Rev. Carlton Beardsley of the First Baptist church officiated and burial was in Rose Hill cemetery. Pete died Wednesday evening about 8:40 in a hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. He had been seriously ill for about a week and in failing health for several months.

A custodian at the high school, Pete had taken his retirement effective October 1. He was given sick leave during August and September and planned to return to the school for part time work as soon as his health improved, which it never did.

Pete started to work as school custodian in 1930 and has made thousands of youthful friends over the years with all the youngsters that attended his school, the Lela Howland, and later the high school.

Pete was named Father of the Year in 1952 and in 1951 the high school year book The Eaglet was dedicated to him.

He is survived by his mother Mrs. Hanna Musk, two brothers, one daughter and three sons. One daughter, one son and his wife preceded him in death.

At the time of his death the students of the high school and junior college were setting up a student loan and scholarship fund in his honor so that he would know about it while still living. The paper that announced the fund also announced
his death.

Obituary of Robert Thomas Prehm

Robert Thomas Prehm was born at Elmore, Minn., to Edgar and Hanna Prehm on Aug. 22, 1891. He passed away at 8:40 p. m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 1956 at Rochester, Minn. On June 10, 1910 he was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Eva May Rounds. To this union were born two daughters and four sons. They are Evelyn, who preceded him in death in 1911; Beth Janaan (Mrs. Clinton Williams) Webster City; Edgar, who preceded him in death in 1949; William Stanley, Detroit; Thomas Jerald, Webster City, and Charles Albert, Webster City. Preceding him in death were his father, his wife, who passed away on June 10, 1943, and the two children, Evelyn and Edgar. He also leaves to mourn his passing his mother Mrs Hanna Musk, Eagle Grove and two brothers, Marshal (Joe) of Eagle Grove and John of Ames, 12 grandchildren, and a host of friends.

Pete Prehm was baptized in the First Baptist church of Eagle Grove on Dec. 13, 1925 and always took an active part as long as he was able. He worked for the C&NW railroad for a number of years and became janitor in the Eagle Grove schools in 1930. He was a man of humility and was known as a friend of the children. Pete was named the "Father of the Year" in 1952 and in 1951 the school annual was dedicated to him.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternon in the high school auditorium, in charge of Rev. Carlton Beardsley. Burial was in Rose Hill cemetery.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
October 25, 1956