WESLEY “WES” PRAX

Wesley “Wes” Prax

October 11, 1931-January 10, 2024

Wesley “Wes” Prax, age 92, of Fairfax, MN passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at his home in Fairfax.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, January 20, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Fairfax with interment in the church cemetery. Gathering of Family and Friends will be Friday, January 19, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Fairfax. The Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 p.m. and a Prayer Service will be at 7:00 p.m. Gathering of Family and Friends will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Military Honors by the Fairfax Honor Guard. Memorials can be made to San Lucas Toliman Mission, Guatemala. www.sanlucasmission.org

Wesley “Wes” Vernon Prax was born on October 11, 1931, in Franklin, MN. He was the son of Wenzel and Helen (Schnichels) Prax. Wes was baptized as an infant at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Franklin and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Fairfax. He received his education in Fairfax and was a graduate of the Fairfax High School Class of 1949. Wes furthered his education at Dunwoody Technical Institute for one year.

On August 15, 1952, Wes entered active military service and served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He received the Korean Service Ribbon, United Nations Service Medal, 2 Bronze Service Stars, and the National Defense Service Medal. Wes received an Honorable Discharge on July 9, 1954, having achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class.

On September 10, 1955, Wes was united in marriage to Doris Boyum at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Fairfax. After their marriage, the couple resided in Fairfax, where they owned and operated Prax Red Owl. After selling the Red Owl in 1977, Wes pursued other business ventures, retiring in 1993. They were blessed with nine children, Susan, Mary, Dianne, David, Steven, Carolyn, Kathy, Donny, and Duane. Wes and Doris shared 68 years of marriage.

Wes was an active member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Fairfax. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and served a term as the Grand Knight. He was also a member of the Fairfax American Legion Post #205 as well as a member of the Fairfax VFW Post #8459, serving as commander. Wes served on the Fairfax City Council, both as a council member and mayor. He was a longtime member of the Fairfax Fire and Rescue department, serving as chief for several years.

Wes enjoyed golfing, fishing, gardening and traveling. He was involved in various card playing groups over the years, as well as a long-time member of the Smokey Hollow dice shaking coffee group. Wes cherished the time he spent with his family especially his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Blessed be his Memory.

Wes is survived by his wife, Doris Prax of Fairfax, MN; children, Susan Schweiss and her husband, Lawrence of Fairfax, MN, Mary Williams and her husband, Alan of Freeport, MN, Dianne Armstrong of Burnsville, MN, David Prax and his wife, Dawn of Maplewood, MN, Steven Prax and his wife, Sheila of Fairfax, MN, Carolyn Kuphal and her special friend, Clovis Lopes of Chaska, MN, Kathy Reimer and her husband, Dan of Eagan, MN, Donny Prax and his wife, Kristen of Madison, AL, and Duane Prax of Byron, IL; 23 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters, Bernadette Boyum of Fairfax, MN, and Vietta Brightwell of Springfield, MO; brother, Roger Prax and his wife, Judy Lodge of Ukiah, CA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wenzel and Helen Prax; granddaughter, Abby Kuphal; brothers, Robert and Dorothy Prax, and Warren and Marianne Prax; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lonnie Brightwell, Dennis Boyum, Eileen and Glen Johnson, LaVonne and Kenny Mickelson.

Arrangements by Hauser-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Fairfax, Minnesota. Online obituaries and guest book available at www.hantge.com