Dean John Prather

SIOUX CITY | Dean J. Prather, 83, Sioux City died Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at a Sioux City hospital from complications with cancer.
Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Sioux City. The Rev. Gary Snyder will officiate. The body was cremated. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a parish vigil service at 7 p.m. at Larkin Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Dean was born on Oct. 9, 1928, in Le Mars, Iowa, the son of John W. and Katie (Snelson) Prather. He lived in Le Mars, Merrill, Iowa, and Sioux City. Dean attended Sioux City Schools.
On June 14, 1947, he married Josie Sponder at St. Francis Church in Sioux City. Dean was a truck driver and drove for Ready Mix and for Sioux City Dressed Pork. He retired in 1988.
He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church. He enjoyed hunting and fishing when he was younger. What he enjoyed most was visiting with friends at his home and being with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their homes. He was a 32-years survivor of heart bypass surgery.
He is survived by his wife, Josie; his children, Margaret and Rich Lucas of Sloan, Iowa, Mike and Sandi Prather of Sioux City, Fran and Jerry Goodmanson of Grove, Okla., Mark and Jane Ann Prather of Marko Island, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, Jeff and Jennifer Lucas, Corey and Jennifer Lucas, Erica and Chad Marshall, Jessica Prather, Josh and Kriste Goodmanson, Kyle Goodmanson and his fiancee, Michelle, Kate Prather and Jose Endara, Shannon and Dave Kirubakeren, Julia and Ryan Geogoff, Luke Prather, and Ben Prather; 14 great-grandchildren, Anna, Lauren, Carter, Chase, Alex, Allie, Aubrey, Macie, Mya, Becca, Samantha, Ty, Ella, Noah; his brother, Don of Sioux City; brothers and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers and sisters, Paul, Margie, Merle, Marian, and Nancy.