Donald M. Prather

Donald M. Prather, 81 of Sioux City, passed away on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at his home from complications from a fall. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 20, 2012 at Calvary Lutheran Church with Reverend James Travis officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery with Military Gravesite Rites by the United States Marines. Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 19th from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel with family present at 6:00 p.m. and a Prayer Service beginning Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com Don was born on January 23, 1931 in Le Mars, Iowa, son of John W. and Katie (Snelson) Prather. Don lived in Merrill and Sioux City, graduating from Leeds High School with the Class of 1949. On January 25, 1950, Don married Jo-Ann Harms (his high school sweet-heart) at Calvary Lutheran Church in Leeds. Don served in the United States Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict from 1950 until 1053. He was very proud to have served his country and most proud to be a Marine. Don was a decorated war veteran, received the Purple Heart, and received his honorable discharge with the rank of First Sergeant. Don worked at the Sioux City Stockyards (Needham Packing Company), as a cattle buyer, until its closing. He then worked at Big Sioux Terminal until his retirement. Don was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church. He enjoyed pheasant hunting, when he was younger, coaching baseball for the Sioux City Youth programs, and basketball for the youth at Calvary Lutheran Church. Don was a huge New York Yankees fan, Iowa Hawkeyes, and of Kirk Hinrich of the Chicago Bulls. Don enjoyed spending time with family and friends, loved going to Lake Okaboji on vacations with his wife, kids, in-laws, and the Binneboses. He also enjoyed working in his yard, making yard ornaments, and just sitting on his front porch, where his family and friends would stop by and visit. Don most enjoyed spending time with his grandkids. Don is survived by his daughter Cathy Dailey of Sioux City; daughter Kim Kull and her husband Bill of Sioux City; son John Prather and his wife Sylvia of Colorado; eight grandchildren Taylor Dailey and his wife Marcy of Des Moines, Ashley (Dailey) Bloomfield and her husband Chad of Utah, Catherine (Prather) Kenne and her husband Shane of Colorado, Jenna Prather of Colorado, Johnathon Prather of Colorado, Curtis Kull of Sioux City, Mick Prather of Colorado, and Sarah Prather of Colorado. Don was preceded in death by his wife Jo-Ann of 52 years, his parents, mother and father-in-law Al and Vi Harms, brothers Paul Sr., Merle, and Dean, and sisters Margie, Marian, and Nancy. Casket Bearers for the service will be Tim Dailey, Craig Martin, Chuck Hanson, Lucas Boddy, Ryan Prather, and Clark Boddy. Honorary Bearers will be Keith McCuddin, Bill Willsbatcher, Al Hutton, and John Meier. Don (Pa-Pa Don) will truly be missed by many, and the family would like to offer a special thank you to Hospice of Siouxland.