Agnes Privratsky, 86, Dickinson died Thursday, April 23, 2009 at her home. Agnes’ Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9 a.m., Monday, April 27, 2009 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. Todd Kreitinger as the celebrant. Interment will take place at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. There will be a rosary and vigil at 4 p.m., Sunday at Ladbury Funeral Service with Deacon Ron Keller presiding.

Agnes Herauf was born October 30, 1922 on the family farm north of South Heart, the daughter of Anton and Florentine (Kilwein) Herauf. She was raised and educated in South Heart having graduated from South Heart High School on May 24, 1940. Agnes then attended and graduated from Dickinson State Teachers College on July 30, 1943 with a teaching certificate.

Agnes married Wenzel Privratsky on October 8, 1945 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. They made their home in Dickinson where she had taught school for a short period and then became employed with Northwestern Bell as an operator for over 25 years, retiring in 1981.

Agnes belonged to the Telephone Pioneers, the DSU Alumni Association, Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW, the 164th Infantry Association of the U.S., and was a Friend of the Library member. In her spare time she enjoyed flower gardening, working on crafts, traveling, baking, and especially being a grandmother and mother.

Agnes is survived by six children, Susan Carol Kubik, Dickinson, Jim (Sherri) Privratsky, Dickinson, Kathy (Mike) Woods, Dickinson, Donna (Ron) Mellott, Oregon City, Ore., Mike (Theone) Privratsky, Oregon City, Ore., and Jan (Mel) Zent, Dickinson; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Florence (Frank) Cole, Red Lodge, Mont., and Roberta Hushka, Delavan, Wis.; one brother, Jim (Lila) Herauf, Maryville, Mo.; and two sisters-in-law, Nancy Herauf and Willie (Larry) Rafferty. She was preceded in death by her husband on July 17, 1990; her parents; brothers, Pete, Alec, Herb and Robert “Buddy”; sisters and brothers-in-law, Eva (Leonard) Wollan, Betty (Joe) Hild, and Henrietta (Matt) Koppinger; a son-in-law, Anton Kubik; two infant siblings; and one five year old brother, Frank. Memorials are preferred to the Dickinson Catholic Schools, Heartland Hospice or to the donors choice.