Praska, Lester 1934 - 2024

PRASKA, KLIMESH, HANSON, PROFFIT, PENTECOST, BERKA, OBRIEN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/4/2025 at 11:28:23

Lester Praska, age 90, of Protivin, passed away peacefully to be with the Lord on December 28, 2024 at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2024 with Fr. Nick Radloff presiding. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Protivin, with Recitation of the Rosary at 3:30 p.m. and a Parish Scripture Service at 6:30 p.m. The visitation will continue for one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church.

Lester was born on the family farm in Howard County on September 24, 1934, the son of Frank J. and Bessie Praska. In 1943, Lester and his family moved to another farm located 2 miles east of Protivin in Winneshiek County. It was on this farm that he resided until taking residency at Aase Haugen. He attended Paris #5 School in Howard County for Kindergarten, 1st-3rd grade at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Protivin and 4th-8th grade at Winneshiek County Sumner Township #3 County School located next to their family farm. Lester would say he was the “teacher’s favorite” as she would pay him 10 cents to get the fire started in the wood stove to warm up the one-room school house before everyone got there. He thought that was great! After 8th grade, Lester continued to work on the family farm outside of Protivin.

Lester met Ruthann Klimesh in 1963 at her sister’s wedding. Ruth was a bridesmaid and Lester helped decorate the wedding cars. They got talking and enjoyed each other’s company. That evening, they were sitting in one of the wedding cars under the yard pole light at the event and although neither one of them smoked, Lester was messing around with the cigarette lighter in the car. He accidentally “branded” Ruth. Although it never actually touched her skin, it did leave a circle and he joked with her how she was going to be his forever. Lester was united in marriage to Ruthann Klimesh on September 12, 1964. To this union, 5 children were born: John, Jim, Janice, Jane and Judy. Judy was born on their 15th wedding anniversary day. Lester and Ruth continued to farm together. They planted many acres of beans and corn and raised chickens, ducks and turkeys. They also raised hogs, beef cattle and dairy cattle (ironically Lester disliked milk and rarely drank it).

Lester was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Protivin. He served on their Parish Council and was also a lector at Sunday masses. For many years, Lester and Ruth managed the Cake Walk event at Protivin’s annual Czech Days. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus both 3rd and 4th degree serving many offices. He also served as the Winneshiek County Sumner Township Trustee for 12 years. Lester was also employed at Graphics Printing in Calmar for 19 years.

Farming was Lester’s true passion. Anyone that ever had the pleasure of meeting him, would always walk away scratching their head, thinking “man, those are the biggest hands I have ever seen”. Lester was known for his large hands and everyone knew it. But those hands represented the resilience he had and the hard work he put into being a farmer. Farming was everything to Lester: the long hours in all temperatures, the scars and callouses, broken bones (many of them he had), stitches and bruises. He had a true love for being a dairy farmer which involved very early mornings and very late nights with calves being born at all hours of the night. Lester appreciated the joy of a good harvest, the beauty of the sun, and the peace in the barn. There is no other place Lester wanted to be than on his family farm providing for his family.

Lester was very talented and crafty with his hands and quite the handyman. He remodeled the entire family farm house that resides today on the family farm. He crafted many pieces of wooden furniture including 2 large wooden toy barns for his sons, John and Jim when they were younger and a baby dresser that was dear to Ruth’s heart and used for all 5 children.

Lester loved to dance and enjoyed taking his girlfriend (aka wife, Ruth) to many dances at Matter’s Ballroom in Decorah and the Innwood in Spillville (the location of their wedding dance). Lester and Ruth enjoyed taking trips to many polka dances and trips to Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and Mexico. He would never pass up an opportunity to watch Mollie B on RFD TV and “Everybody Loves Raymond” on TV Land would always put a smile on his face. His popcorn from the “real popcorn machine” and his caramel puffcorn was always a favorite with his grandkids at the holidays. He always enjoyed his chocolates and generously shared them with all his visitors at Aase. Ketchup was a staple at every meal no matter what he was eating. Lester would never pass up a glass of “warm” RC cola and more recently he enjoyed his Pepsi until his final days.

Lester is survived by his loving wife, Ruth, of 60 years and their children John Praska of Laredo, TX, Jim (Lynn) Praska of St. Paul, MN, Janice (Kurt) Hanson of Decorah, IA, Jane (Mike) Proffit of Jackson, WI and Judy (John) Pentecost of Waverly, IA and 11 grandchildren: Julia, Erika and Brandon Praska, Bethany and Tristan Hanson, Cole, Ian and Finn Proffit and Isabella, Emmett and Gevin Pentecost as well as many nieces and nephews. He was very proud of his family and he loved them dearly.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Bessie Praska and siblings Leonard (Caroline) Praska, Georgine (Joe) Berka, Irene (Ambrose) O’Brien as well as several nieces and nephews.

Lester was a true survivor. He endured many health obstacles over the years but with his strength, faith and perseverance, he was able to overcome them. Lester’s family expresses their sincere gratitude for the tireless care that was provided to him from the Aase Haugen staff, Winn Med physicians, and St. Croix Hospice. Your love and support will never be forgotten.

Genesis 2:8 “Now the Lord God planted a garden in the east in Eden and there he put the man he had formed”.

Once a farmer…always a farmer. Rest in Peace Dad.