Josephine M. Prather

Josephine "Josie" Mary Prather, 89, lifelong resident of Sioux City, died Monday, May 29, 2017, at her home at the Sunrise Retirement Community Assisted Living facility in Sioux City.
Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 2 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Sioux CIty. There will be a visitation Thursday, June 1 from 4 to 8 p.m., with the family present at 6 p.m. and a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., at Larkin Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home, 2320 Outer Drive North, in Sioux City. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.christysmith.com .
Josie was born on Jan. 23, 1928, in Sioux City, to Joseph and Mary Frances (Laska) Sponder. She grew up and attended school at St. Francis Catholic School.
On June 14, 1947, she married Dean John Prather at St. Francis Catholic Church in Sioux City. The couple made Sioux City their home and raised four children, Margaret, Mike, Fran and Mark. Josie worked at the Palmer House Motel for 40 years.
She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church. What she enjoyed most was visiting with friends at her home and being with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their homes.
She is survived by her 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 Marco Island, Fla.; 11 grandchildren, Jeff and Jennifer Lucas, Corey and Jennifer Lucas, Erica and Rob Gibson, Jessica Prather, Josh and Kriste Goodmanson, Kyle Goodmanson and his fiancee, Michelle, Kate Prather and Jose Endara, Shannon and Kevin Clemen, Julia and Ryan Geogoff, Luke Prather and Amber Rausch, Ben Prather and Jessica Bonjes; 19 great-grandchildren, Anna, Lauren, Carter, Chase, Alex, Allie, Aubrey, Lauren, R.J., Macie, Mya, Becca, Samantha, Ty, August, Ella, Noah, Autymn, and Zachary; two sisters-in-law, Helen Sponder and Florence "Poodie" Sponder, both of Sioux City; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean; eight brothers, Rome, Steve, John, Chuck, Pete, Joe, Stanley and Leo; and two sisters, Annie and Pauline.
The family would like to thank the staff at Sunrise Retirement Assisted Living Community for all the love and care Josie received while living there.