Katherine Praus, 94, Dickinson, died Saturday, September 13, 2014 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Katherine’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Friday, September 19, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Keith Streifel as the celebrant and Fr. Dennis Schafer as the con-celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, and will continue at the church from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., with Fr. Dennis Schafer presiding.
Katherine Rose Keller was born March 23, 1920 in Stark County to George and Mary Eva (Mayer) Keller. At the age of 15, her mother passed away. She and her brother William helped their dad raise three brothers and three sisters. She attended grade school in Schefield, New England, and Rainy Butte.
On May 9, 1939 she married Tony J. Praus at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, by Msgr. George P. Aberle. Following their marriage, they lived southwest of Dickinson. In 1942 they bought the family farm where they raised their six sons. In 1974 they built the house she lived in until January 30, 2014, when she became a resident of St. Benedict’s.
She was famous for her homemade bread, potato salad, and fried chicken and other German foods. Katherine was a hard worker, she enjoyed cooking, baking, playing cards, attending family gatherings, and gardening. She had a special love for the Most Holy Rosary, and had many friends she enjoyed visiting with.
Katherine was a loving and devoted mother (mother-in-law who thought of her daughters-in-law as daughters), grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She is survived by four sons and six daughters-in-law, Ernie (Fran) Praus, South Heart, Eddie (Leona) Praus, Dickinson, Allen (Darlene) Praus, Dickinson, Gerald (Carrie) Praus, Dickinson, Sally Praus, South Heart, and Eleanor Praus, Dickinson; 33 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter, all of whom will miss her deeply. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Anna Keller, Rose Praus, Anna Dukart, Clementina Ficek, Evon Praus, and Eugenia Praus; and numerous extended family.
Katherine was preceded in death by her husband, Tony on July 13, 1991; sons, Ervin and Anton, Jr.; her parents; five brothers, William, George, Wilhelm, Georgie, and Valentine Keller; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Barbara (Albert) Rel, Mary (Barney) Morse, and Monica (Lloyd) Simile; grandson, Jayme Praus; other great-grandchildren; and numerous extended relatives.
