Obit: Prehn, Donald Blake (1914 - 1973)

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Surnames: Prehn, Schweke, Rinehart, Ruhbusch

----Sources: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) Thursday, May 17, 1973

Prehn, Donald Blake (15 Nov. 1914 - 16 May 1973)

SPENCER - Rites will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Spencer for Donald B. Prehn, 58, of 515 E. Clark St., Spencer, who died at 6:25 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield.

The Rev. William Ruhbusch, pastor, will officiate, and burial will be made in the West Spencer cemetery.

Friends may call at the Rux Funeral Home in Spencer at 2 p.m. today.

Mr. Prehn was born Nov. 15, 1914, in Milwaukee, and received his education in the Milwaukee and Spencer school systems. He served with the United States Army during World War II from July 1943 to October 1945. During this time he was awarded many decorations including the Good Conduct Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon.

He was the postmaster at Spencer from April 16, 1947 to Feb. 9, 1957, and a rural mail carrier since 1957. Both tours of duty totaled 26 years with the postal service.

His marriage on Oct. 14, 1939, at St. John's Lutheran Church in North Spencer, was to the former Estella Schweke, who survives him. They have resided at Spencer for the past 26 years.

Other survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Gerald (Diane) Rinehart, route 1, Loyal, a son, Allen Prehn, Stanley; and four grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents.

He was a member of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association, the Colby VFW, and the Trinity Lutheran Church.