Duane Prohaska

Jan. 31, 1932 - Dec. 7, 2009

OGALLALA -- Duane Mark Prohaska, age 77, of Ogallala, passed away on Monday, Dec. 7, 2009, at the Indian Hills Manor nursing home in Ogallala.

He was born Jan. 31, 1932, in Britt, Iowa, the son of Lloyd Prohaska and Albina (Rayhons) Prohaska of Duncan, Iowa. Duane graduated from Garner High School in Iowa and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951. He served in the Korean Conflict and upon his return he farmed in the Garner area. In 1954 Duane married Rosemarie Hosting of Calmar, Iowa.

Duane moved to Nebraska in 1964 where he managed grain elevators and Co-Ops. He also managed a Western Auto and Singer sewing machine stores. Duane later worked for the Bureau of Reclamation in McCook, Neb., until his retirement. Duane had been a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in McCook and was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus. Several years ago Duane moved to Ogallala to be closer to family.

Duane loved the outdoors, among his favorite hobbies were gardening, fishing and camping. He also was an avid enthusiast of woodworking. Duane spent a lot of time with his beagle, Buddy, whom he considered a loyal companion. On Saturdays in the fall Duane enjoyed watching Nebraska Cornhusker football and one of his favorite pastimes years ago was watching his four sons play football for the McCook Bison of McCook High School.

Survivors include: Rosemarie Prohaska, mother of their daughter and four sons of Fremont, Neb.; daughter, Debbie Prohaska of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sons, Tom and wife, Jill Prohaska of Dallas, Texas, Ron Prohaska of Ogallala; Keith and wife, Melissa (Sis) Prohaska of Columbus, Neb., Richard and wife, Erica Prohaska of Colorado Springs, Colo.; five grandsons and two granddaughters and one great-granddaughter and one great-grandson; sisters, Mary Lou Tusha of Garner, Iowa, and Bonnie Bacon of Ventura, Iowa, and Carolyn Buseman of Des Moines, Iowa; and a brother, Verne Prohaska of Garner, Iowa.

A rosary will be recited on Monday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. (MST) at St. Luke's Catholic Church with a Memorial Mass to follow at 10:30 a.m. with Father Bryan Ernest as celebrant. Committal services will be held at 1:30 p.m. (CST) at Fort McPherson National Cemetery south of Maxwell with military honors. Online condolences may be sent at gubserfuneralhome.com.

Gubser Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.