Obit: Prell, Gerald M. (1937 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Bach, Heier, Krueger, Krug, Moore, Nelson, Prell, Warnock, Westrich, Young

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 8/30/2017

Prell, Gerald “Jerry” M. (3 MAR 1937 - 28 AUG 2017)

Gerald “Jerry” M. Prell, a 12 year resident of Bullhead City, Ariz., passed away on Aug. 28, 2017 at the Western Arizona Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his loving children and wife, Patty, after a long battle with lung cancer.

At his request, there will be a private family service in the Ore. Cascades at a later date.

Jerry was born on March 3, 1937 in Medford to the late Erma (Moore) and Arthur Prell. He attended Immanuel Ev. Lutheran School and graduated from Medford High School as a lettered football and basketball player. He married Patty Westrich, daughter of Herb and Mary, in July of 1955.

They lived in Taylor County, where they worked and raised five children, all graduates of Medford High School. He served in the National Guard, played baseball for Whittlesey, worked on mink ranches and the Fur Farm Foods in the Medford area. Later he worked at Miller’s Feed Mill and Strama’s Filling Station. Jerry began driving semi for Weather Shield Aluminum, then Tombstone Pizza, before he bought his own business, the R-Bar in Little Black. He enjoyed visiting with friends and serving new people. He could make a troubled person smile and made many new friends. In 1979 they sold the R-Bar and moved to Ore. to join Patty who had moved to a work position in Ore. He drove truck for the Forest Service and for a private hauler until 1987, when he went to BiMart, retiring as a receiving manager in 1999.

Gerald and Patty moved to Bullhead City after his cancer diagnosis. They wanted to be near medical facilities, casinos, fun tournaments, good shows and lots of other things to do without having to deal with the cold and snow.

Jerry was a lifelong Packer fan, who didn’t miss a game. He loved cribbage, sheepshead, country-western music and early morning swims in the pool listening to the radio before the sun came up.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 62 years and daughters, Debra (Dan) Warnock of LaGrande, Ore., Dee (Dale) Young of Harrisonburg, Va. and Jeryl of Crescent, Ore.; sons, Mark (Debbra) of LaPine, Ore. and Rev. Kent (Debbie) of Dayton, Va.; two sisters, Marilyn (Kenneth) Krueger of Green Bay and Nancy Nelson of Medford; a brother, James and devoted friend, Virgen of Medford. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by infant daughter, Barbara Carol; sisters, Dorothy (Bernard) Bach and Carol (Gene) Krug; brothers-in-law, Bernard Bach, Kenneth Krueger, Lowell (Phyllis) Heier and Vernon Westrich; and nephew, Thomas Westrich.

Jerry followed the golden rule, had a smile for everyone and didn’t know a stranger! He had a good witty and answer for all.

Jerry “Dad,” “Gramps,” we love you. You will be missed.