Obit: Prust, Raymond C. (1923 - 2006)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Surnames: Prust, Garbisch, Wachholz, Gerl, Fuller, Johnson, Rasmussen, Smetak, Bucki, Johnson, Swenson, Christensen, Kalpinski, Kreighbaum, Kohl, Hilgart, Miller, Schmidt, Casper, Herwald

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, WI) August 30, 2006

Prust, Raymond C. (November 9, 1923 - August 23, 2006)

Raymond C. Purst, age 82, of Marshfield, died with his loving wife beside him on Wednesday, August 223, 2006 at Marshfield, Care Center where he resided for the past two years.

Raymond was born on November 9, 1923, in Granton to Charles and Regina (Garbisch) Prust. He was a 1943 graduate of Granton High School. He was a veteran of the United States Navy serving during World War II from June of 1943 until his honorable discharge in March of 1946.

He married Violet Wachholz on June 21, 1947 and they later divorced. He then married Gwendolyn Gerl on January 23, 1956 and they divorced. He later married Margaret Fuller Johnson on July 17, 1982 in Marshfield. She survives him.

Ray had assisted his parents managing the Prust Triangle Tavern in Granton for 45 years and also processed maple syrup on the adjoining land for many years. He was well known by many in Marshfield for his craftsmanship in finishing homes and had been employed as a lead person in the finishing department at Weyerhaeuser in Marshfield for 31 years until his retirement in 1988.

He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, the American Legion Post 54, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1866, and was a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Badger Aerie #624.

He enjoyed playing cards, dancing, bowling, hunting, fishing, frog and turtle hunting, spending time with his family and a back scratch followed by a good brandy old fashion.

He is survived by his wife, Marge; his children with Gwendolyn, Greg Prust, of Spencer; Debra (Verlyn) Rasmussen, Jeff Prust, Marilyn Smetak, all of Marshfield; Dave Prust, of Spencer; and Gina (Jim) Bucki, of Medford; his step-children, (Margaret’s children) Dan (Carol) Johnson, of Winter; Randy (Gitty) Johnson, of New Richmond; Susan (Bill) Swenson, of Connorsville; Cathy (Stuart) Christensen, of Rochelle, IL; Judie (Dave) Kalpinski, of Stevens Point; Julie (Larry) Kreighbaum, of Burlington; Lynette (bob) Kohl, of Granton; and Lisa (Larry) Hilgart, of Marshfield. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Travis, Tyler, Tara, Tim, Pam, Dawn, Jeremy, Jennifer, Amber, Heather, Katie and Justin; one great-grandson, Trevor; 22 step-grandchildren, Teresa, Sherry, Danielle, Jody, Tammy, Chris, Jeremy, Randy, Theo, Mike, Sarah, Maggie, Jamie, Mike, Brian, Jason, Melissa, Heather, Eric, Alyssa, Mike, and Nicole. He is further survived by nine step-great-grandchildren, Randy, Jayden, Serena, MacKenzie, Isaac, Samantha, Libby, Jordann and Conner.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a half brother, Alan Miller.

Funeral services were held Saturday, August 26, 2006 at 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, Marshfield. Rev. Tricia J. Turner officiated with special music provided by guitarist and soloist, a brother-in-law, Jerry Schmidt.

Pallbearers were Tim Rasmussen, Jeremy Smetak, Jason Johnson, Brian Kalpinski, Theo Casper, and Mike Herwald. Military rites were conducted by the American Legion Post 54 at the church following the service. Burial was to take place later in Zion American Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery in Granton.

The Rembs/Kundinger Funeral Home, Marshfield, assisted the family with arrangements.

Condolences may be sent online to: www.rembsfh.com