Elsworth K. Prahl, 93, Wausau, passed away July 30, 2010 at the Homme House of Wittenberg. He was born May 8, 1917 to the late Reinhardt and Lydia (Kettel) Prahl on the family farm in the Town of Texas. Elsworth married Bernice Stachowiak on October 18, 1941. He worked in the monument trade for Rib Mountain Granite before buying Twin City Monument with John Stark and later retired at the age of 50. During his life, Elsworth and Bernice lived and Wausau and had a cottage in Minocqua where they spent most of their time. Together with his brother, George, they fished muskies and hunted every chance they got.
Elsworth was very proud of his service to his country and served as a machinist with the Headquarters and Service Company 118th Engineer battalion. Inducted May 6, 1942 at Milwaukee, he served 5 months and 4 days in this country and 3 years and 7 days overseas before being discharged October 16 at Camp McCoy, Wis. He served at New Guinea, Guadalcanal, northern Solomons and Luzon and is entitled to wear the good conduct medal, bronze service arrowhead, Asiatic-Pacific theater service ribbon; Philippine Liberation ribbon with one bronze star, six overseas service bars and the mechanic’s badge. He qualified as a rifle marksman.
Elsworth is survived by his nephew, Gene Prahl; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Prahl and Mary Ann (Norman) Weinberger; brother-in-law, Fabian (Mary) Stachowiak; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bernice; and brothers, George and infant Raymond.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at the Helke Funeral Home, Wausau. Elder Richard Ostwald will be officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM on Tuesday at the funeral home and go until the time of the funeral. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park. Military rites to be performed by American Legion Montgomery Plant Post #10. You may sign our family guestbook at www.helke.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Mission Evangelical Fund (Cemetery Fund), T4232 Blessing Road, Wausau, WI 54403.