A Celebration of Life for Wendell R. Pralle, age 77, of Fairmont, is 2:00 pm, Monday, April 17, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church of Fairmont, with Reverend Timothy Dorsch officiating. Burial will follow in Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home
Wendell Ray Pralle was born in Fairmont on April 7, 1940 to Raymond Pralle and Kathryn (VanHauen) Pralle and passed away following a long illness on Friday, April 14, 2017 in Enid.
Wendell attended Fairmont Lutheran School through the eighth grade, before transferring to Garber High School. He married his sweetheart, Vivian Joyce Donaldson, on June 15, 1957. Wendell was a life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church in Fairmont. Wendell taught himself to play piano as a small boy and began playing dances at 14 years of age. He was remembered for playing honky-tonk music with several bands, but especially treasured the time he spent playing with his brother Gilbert, as the Pralle Brothers. He worked at Industrial Iron Works before moving to Hackney Welding Supply for seven years. In 1965 he went to work at Larry’s Amusement & Vending Company. After 35 years he retired, with the last 15 years at work being owner/operator. Wendell always enjoyed the early years when his three daughters, Kim Jeanette, Diana Sue and Lisa Joy were still at home and they spent many days going camping at the lake. Wendell liked to go to antique engine shows and enjoyed working on them, a passion he got from his dad. He also loved to cook and especially eat good food. He also loved traveling with the love of his life, his wife Joyce.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Kathryn Pralle; and sister in law Marilee Pralle. He is survived by his wife Joyce, of the home in Fairmont; three daughters, Kim Hughes and husband Jeff, of Kingfisher; Diana Postier and husband Kevin, of Breckinridge; Lisa Alwert and husband Tony, of Fairmont; seven grandchildren, Michelle, Kristen, Dylan, Garrett, Sydney, Bailey, and Braden; seven great-grandchildren; a brother Gilbert Pralle, of Fairmont; special nieces and nephew, Lynn, Valerie and Derek.
Memorials in Wendell’s name may be made to Zion Lutheran Church of Fairmont or Ross Hospice with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.
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