Service Information
Wesley “Wes” Prax, age 92, of Fairfax passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at his home in Fairfax.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, January 20, 2024, 11:00 A.M. at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Fairfax with interment in the church cemetery.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be Friday, January 19, 2024, from 4:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Fairfax. The Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 P.M. and a Prayer Service will be at 7:00 P.M. Gathering of Family and Friends will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
Military Honors by the Fairfax Honor Guard.
Memorials can be made to San Lucas Toliman Mission, Guatemala. www.sanlucasmission.org
Obituary
Wesley “Wes” Vernon Prax was born on October 11, 1931, in Franklin, Minnesota. He was the son of Wenzel and Helen (Schnichels) Prax. Wes was baptized as an infant at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Franklin and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Fairfax. He received his education in Fairfax and was a graduate of the Fairfax High School Class of 1949. Wes furthered his education at Dunwoody Technical Institute for one year.
On August 15, 1952, Wes entered active military service and served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He received the Korean Service Ribbon, United Nations Service Medal, 2 Bronze Service Stars, and the National Defense Service Medal. Wes received an Honorable Discharge on July 9, 1954, having achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class.
On September 10, 1955, Wes was united in marriage to Doris Boyum at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Fairfax. After their marriage, the couple resided in Fairfax, where they owned and operated Prax Red Owl. After selling the Red Owl in 1977, Wes pursued other business ventures, retiring in 1993. They were blessed with nine children, Susan, Mary, Dianne, David, Steven, Carolyn, Kathy, Donny, and Duane. Wes and Doris shared 68 years of marriage.
Wes was an active member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Fairfax. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and served a term as the Grand Knight. He was also a member of the Fairfax American Legion Post #205 as well as a member of the Fairfax VFW Post #8459, serving as commander. Wes served on the Fairfax City Council, both as a council member and mayor. He was a longtime member of the Fairfax Fire and Rescue department, serving as chief for several years.
Wes enjoyed golfing, fishing, gardening and traveling. He was involved in various card playing groups over the years, as well as a long-time member of the Smokey Hollow dice shaking coffee group. Wes cherished the time he spent with his family especially his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Wes passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at his home in Fairfax at the age of 92 years. Blessed be his memory.
Wes is survived by his:
Wife, Doris Prax of Fairfax, MN;
Children, Susan Schweiss and her husband, Lawrence of Fairfax, MN,
Mary Williams and her husband, Alan of Freeport, MN,
Dianne Armstrong of Burnsville, MN,
David Prax and his wife, Dawn of Maplewood, MN,
Steven Prax and his wife, Sheila of Fairfax, MN,
Carolyn Kuphal and her special friend, Clovis Lopes of Chaska, MN,
Kathy Reimer and her husband, Dan of Eagan, MN,
Donny Prax and his wife, Kristen of Madison, AL, and
Duane Prax of Byron, IL;
23 Grandchildren;
14 Great-Grandchildren;
Sisters, Bernadette Boyum of Fairfax, MN, and Vietta Brightwell of Springfield, MO;
Brother, Roger Prax and his wife, Judy Lodge of Ukiah, CA;
Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Wes was preceded in death by his Parents, Wenzel and Helen Prax; Granddaughter, Abby Kuphal; Brothers, Robert and Dorothy Prax, and Warren and Marianne Prax; Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law, Lonnie Brightwell, Dennis Boyum, Eileen and Glen Johnson, LaVonne and Kenny Mickelson.
Jason & Jennie Bents says
Great Uncle Wes was truly an amazing man and loved by all! My heart goes out to his entire family. He will be truly missed.
Dan Reimer says
Wes was a man with a Golden heart. Always calm, cool and collected, he was loved by all! He will truly be missed.
Brian Anderson says
So very sorry for the families loss and the entire community, what a great guy,
Gerry and Diane Liebl says
Deepest sympathy to the family.
Kris (Dummer) Wiltscheck says
So very sorry to hear of Wes’ passing. Thoughts & prayers to you all.
Lynnae Pelzel says
Our sympathy Sue I know how close you were to your Dad and they are such special people in our lives! I always enjoyed visiting with him. Our sincere sympathy. Bowie & Lynnae
Lowell and Sharon Kiecker says
Just a very nice man that’s for sure!
Harlan and Debi Helgren says
Our condolences to the Prax family.
Tom & Sherry Ramy says
Wes will truly be missed prayers and thoughts go out to the family. Still remember all the great fishing trips my dad and i had when we would go to canada with Wes great memories.
Mary Hagen says
Prayers for your dad and the whole Prax family during this time. Always loved seeing your dad’s smile. May he rest in peace. Bret and Mary (Ziegler) Hagen
Dawn Schnickels-Johnson says
Wes is my dad, Marvin Schnickels’, first cousin. They shared a birthday and Wes was a year older, which they would remind each other of. They are all gathering in heaven again. Wes was a kind and sweet man. At our annual family reunions he and Doris were two people I always looked forward to seeing. So grateful for all those times. Doris and family – may you find peace and comfort in your memories. He will be missed and your stories will keep him close. Hugs……
Rick and Mary (Prax) Lemke says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love you all bunches.
Randy Weikle says
Our thoughts and prayers to the families. He always had time to stop and visit on his daily walks.
Rick and Mary (Prax) Lemke says
We are so sorry to hear od the passing of Wes, Our thoughts, prayers and love are being sent your way Love and hugs. Rick and Mary (Prax) Lemke
Cynthia Hubbard says
Wes was a decent and kind man. When he learned I had lost my father a year before moving to Fairfax, he offered to be my “stand in Dad.” He made me feel welcomed. I will miss our fellowship and chats.
Gail McCormick says
Dear Prax Family ~ You are in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry for your loss.
Gail McCormick ~ friend of Dave & Dawn & the Girls
Vic Buysse says
Wes was a wonderful neighbor. He welcomed our family to the neighborhood when we moved in. I loved talking to him as he would be going on his walks. Wes would come to visit me as I was working on a outside project. I am truly blessed to have know him over the years. Our condolences to his family.
Pat Sell says
To Doris and Family…..So sorry for your loss. Wes was a great man and a dear friend to our family. RIP Wes!
Garrett and Judy Sampson says
We were very sorry to read about Wes’ passing as it took us back to the many great days we lived in Fairfax owning and running The Fairfax Motel.
There are certainly a lot of good memories of times talking to and having coffee with Wes and good things to remember about what a fine person he was. Our condolences to all the family as it was a community where we all knew each other and it was a good place to raise our daughter as well as enjoy the company of literally “the whole town”.