Paul James Prusha, 93

Paul James Prusha, 93, of Amana and formerly of Chelsea and Tama, passed away, Sunday, September 11, 2022, at his home. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Dwayne Thoman and Deacon Stan Upah officiating. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Tama. Visitation was held Tuesday, September 13, 2022, from 5-7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with a Rosary at 4:00 PM.

Paul was born on November 30, 1928, at home in Gladstone, Iowa, the son of James and Christine (Kvidera) Prusha.

He went to country school and graduated from Tama High School.

Paul served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He went to Germany where his good money managing skills came in handy. Paul was a bit of a loan shark, he would loan out $5 for $10, $10 for $20 and stand by the line to collect on payday. Using that money, he bought a Jeep and toured Europe on leave.

On September 26, 1955, he was united in marriage to Therese Shilhanek at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama, where they were longtime members. Paul was born a farmer and farmed his whole life, and at the end just with his eyes. He witnessed the evolution of farming go from horses as a kid to automation.

He loved the Hawkeyes, Green Bay Packers and Vikings. When there weren’t games on, John Wayne was. He also enjoyed driving his tractor in Tractorcades. Paul enjoyed playing cards in Vining or anywhere. I think there is a card game going on now in Heaven with Paul & Therese against Dan & Kevin. Paul loved to dance and he and Therese followed Barefoot Becky as often as possible. Paul was always learning. There wasn’t a newspaper etc. that went unread and he always knew what was going on. They traveled to Europe and many other places. Therese made albums of each trip and when she was ill they would get one out and “go on a trip.” When Therese died it broke his heart but he picked up his dancing shoes again with his special friend Velma and they two stepped until not long ago. Velma was a light in his life that gave him joy and companionship. She was with him when he passed.

Survivors include three daughters: Linda Prusha, of Marengo, Janet (Lon) Horbach, of Ellston, and Monica (Steven) Lynch, of North Platte, NE; four grandchildren: Charlie (Scott) Ludwig, Devyn (Tyler) Krug, Hunter Horbach and Olivia Lynch; four great grandchildren: Lakyn, Landry, Daltyn Krug and Rhett Ludwig; and a special friend, Velma Kadera, of Oxford.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Therese on March 17, 2011; two sons, Daniel and Kevin Prusha whom he missed greatly and his siblings: Lillian Meinhart, Maxine Kopriva, Floyd Prusha.