Willard Prieve

Obituary

Willard Gerhardt Prieve was born on February 23, 1927, in Hutchinson. He was the son of Theodore and Anna (Meier) Prieve. Willard was baptized as an infant on March 20, 1927, by Pastor Schulze at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth in 1941 by Pastor Schulze at Peace Lutheran Church. He received his education in Hutchinson and was a graduate with the Hutchinson High School Class of 1945.

Willard entered active military service in the United States Army on February 11, 1954, in El Paso, Texas, and served his country during the Korean War. He received an Honorable Discharge on November 16, 1954, due to his Father suffering from a stroke, Willard needed to come home to help on the farm.

On April 25, 1954, Willard was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Kulinski at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. This marriage was blessed with two daughters, Norine and Pauline.

Willard was a lifelong dairy farmer until he retired from farming in 1993. Willard was a member of the Hutchinson VFW Post 906. He was also a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.

Willard enjoyed old-time dancing, playing the concertina, fixing and inventing things, Willard pulled the motor from a 1954 Oldsmobile and dropped it in a tractor, and it worked. Willard also enjoyed magic shows on TV, his little dog Katy, sharing good jokes, playing cards, going “bummin” on Sunday afternoons, auctions at the Sales Barn, and his weekly patty melts at The Hutch Café and giving the waitresses there a hard time. He enjoyed seeing his grandkids when they visited from Texas and took great pride that they were as tall or taller than he was. Willard could be a bit on the quiet side initially but loved being around people nonetheless. He knew every back entrance to the businesses along Main Street and you could set your watch by him as every day at 1:30 p.m. he could be seen driving into town for lunch.

In March of 2016, Willard became a resident at Woodstone Senior Living Community in Hutchinson, and he passed away there on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at the age of 93 years. Blessed be his memory.

Willard is survived by his:
Daughters, Norine Prather and her husband, Philip, of Dallas, TX,
Pauline Kasal, of Talco, TX;
Grandchildren, Brendan Prather, Marshall Prather, Joseph Kasal, Hannah Kasal, Lauren Kasal, Daniel
Kasal and his husband Caleb Castle;
Many other relatives and friends.

Willard is preceded in death by his Parents, Theodore and Anna Prieve; Brothers, Arnold in infancy and Martin Prieve; Sister, Helen (Prieve) Lickfelt; Nieces LuAnn (Prieve) Kreitlow and Lois (Prieve) Leske.

In his memory, please wear a mask in public and take Covid-19 seriously.